Stuttgart Regional makes move to electronic records

Stuttgart Regional Medical Center (SRMC) is improving patient care outcomes and patient safety through the implementation of electronic medical records (EMR).

Numerous clinical and administrative benefits have resulted since SRMC decided to make the move to electronic healthcare information in 2003.

Chief Executive Officer John Neal said that EMR is a major communication connection for rural health care facilities. It provides access to and communication of real-time patient information within the facility and its rural clinics, as well as to urban facilities in the event of emergency transfers or additional patient care services.

“It standardizes healthcare information and links multidisciplinary services, which streamline and improve communication and patient outcomes from admission through the continuum of care,” Phyllis Ragland, RN, quality assessment/performance improvement coordinator, said.

The hospital began its transition in 2004 by implementing financial software, which included patient demographics, billing and accounting, as well as transcription. In June 2005, the hospital computerized clinical services, such as nursing, radiology, pharmacy, lab and all other ancillary services.

The system computerizes manual processes, which has allowed for better documentation and closer attention to care guidelines.

“The EMR allows our nursing staff to better access patient information critical to the overall care of the patients,” Cindy Crum, RN, Ed.D, chief nursing officer, said. “From a nursing perspective, it prompts documentation of appropriate and pertinent patient assessment, intervention and overall plan of care.

“From an administrative view, real-time reports are readily available for planning, assigning and follow-up on patient care issues.”

One key patient safety component of EMR is the implementation of the Bar Code Medication Administration system (BCMA). To give any medication, nurses roll a computer into a room and then scan their identification badge, the patient’s armband and the medication. The computer alerts the nurse if any conflicts exist or if it’s safe to administer the drug.

“Using BCMA to order, dispense, administer and document patient medications allows us to control patient safety,” Whitney Leder, PharmD, said. “It increases channels of verification and staff alerts that require verbal reconfirmations of right patient, right drug, right dose, right route and right time.”

Though it may seem that making the move to electronic records would be tedious, after only nine months of preparation Stuttgart Regional went live with the conversion of the entire clinical process in one day. Department managers met regularly to plan and implement the system.

“Every manager has a better understanding of how our healthcare system works,” Jennifer Payton, JD, corporate compliance officer and legal counsel, said. “The departments depend on each other more and understand how one process affects others.”

Clinical staff has adjusted to the changes with little difficulty, and staff found patients to be interested in and excited about the new system.

“Electronic health records can be formatted with the most current standards of care and practice for all disciplines,” Payton said. “They guide the clinician to address critical patient information individualized to the patient and diagnosis or procedure.

“These types of clinical decision tools help the hospital staff perform at the best practice level possible.”

Preparations are being made to implement the next EMR clinical phase for Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE). This software will allow physicians to enter orders, eliminating manual transcription and resulting in safe and timely patient care.

 

Stuttgart Regional Medical Center
Electronic Health Records
Stuttgart, AR