FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 22, 2011
Contact: Mary Lourdes Burke, chief communications officer
978-466-2214 or mburke@healthalliance.com
LEOMINSTER – As one of the first hospitals to commit to electronic health records (EHR) in the country, HealthAlliance Hospital has achieved Stage 1 Meaningful Use after a successful 90-day reporting period of its comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) capabilities. Operated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Medicare EHR Incentive Program is intended to spur hospitals to adopt electronic health information systems and to demonstrate that they are using the technology to support the delivery of high quality care.
“We have been preparing for this level of EHR adoption in our hospital for years,” said Patrick L. Muldoon, FACHE, President and CEO of HealthAlliance Hospital. “We knew federally mandated guidelines were inevitable and we wanted to be ahead of the curve, but even more importantly, we wanted to continue our commitment to implementing technology that enables us to deliver quality healthcare and an exceptional patient experience for our community. It was our vision to be one of the first healthcare providers in the area to achieve Meaningful Use. Through the concerted efforts of so many employees and members of our medical staff working together on this important initiative, we have made that goal a reality.”
HealthAlliance Hospital successfully completed the attestation of Stage 1 Meaningful Use achievement on September 23, 2011, at the conclusion of a 90-day EHR Reporting Period. During the Reporting Period, the hospital collected data about compliance with various criteria, indicating that it has met specific benchmarks. The benchmarks cover aspects of using an EHR such as using computerized provider order entry (CPOE) capabilities to enter medication orders. Ordering medications through a CPOE has been linked to potentially reducing the human element in medication errors. Electronic ordering can help eliminate errors associated with illegible handwriting of drug names or dosage. The electronic ordering process also makes it possible for the computer to notify caregivers about drug-drug or drug-allergy reactions – promoting safer medication ordering.
“At the center of all patient care at Health Alliance Hospital is the relationship between the providers, the patient, and the patient’s family. These advances in technology enhance this relationship,” said Daniel O’Leary, MD, Chief Medical Officer at HealthAlliance Hospital. “Now the computer assists the provider to know that any planned treatment is safe, effective, and consistent with best practices across the country. It helps the provider keep up with the rapid pace of advancement in treatment opportunities. I think the needs of today could not be met with old fashioned systems of pen, paper and a good memory that date back decades. That’s why I’m excited that even as we continue to refine systems to meet the greater challenges of tomorrow, if a patient comes to HealthAlliance Hospital today that patient will see the benefits of our investment in technology in all aspects of their hospital experience.”
“We are thrilled with our Stage 1 Meaningful Use achievement, which included excelling in every requirement,” said Margaret Campbell, RN, Associate Chief Information Officer at HealthAlliance Hospital. “It has been a journey, but it has allowed us to deliver quality care and patient safety for our community and that is the most important benefit for all of us at HealthAlliance Hospital. The attestation process has really been a positive experience because we were prepared – we started early and had our entire team on board.”
According to the American Hospital Association, there are more than 5,700 registered hospitals in the United States. Of those, less than half have registered for the Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. Of those who registered, only one fourth have achieved Stage 1 meaningful use of a certified EHR by the end of September 2011.
“Stage 1 Meaningful Use with a certified EHR has only been achieved by a relatively small number of U.S. hospitals,” stated Patrick Muldoon. “As one of the Most Wired Hospitals in the country, HealthAlliance Hospital is ranked among the very best in terms of integrating technologies to provide high quality care, patient safety, and customer service. We are very proud to provide our community with this level of health care.”