By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Officials with Cary Medical Center announced last weekthe facility’s participation in Maine’s health information exchange.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Kris Doody, R.N., CEO at Cary Medical Center introduces Dev Culver, executive director, chief executive officer of HealthInfoNet, during a meeting at which it was announced that CMC is now part of the computer-based system.
“This computer-based system is being used statewide,” stated Bill Flagg, “and will help the hospital share important patient health information such as drug allergies, prescriptions, medical conditions and lab and test results with other health care providers involved in their care throughout the state.” This new system is available through Cary’s partnership with HealthInfoNet (HIN), an independent Maine-based nonprofit that operates the statewide health formation exchange.”
According to Flagg, HealthInfoNet’s secure system links information from separate health care sites to create a single electronic health record for individual patients. This record combines key health information from Cary Medical Center and all of a patient’s other health care providers that participate in HealthInfoNet system.
“We are very enthusiastic about this partnership,” said Dr. Beth Collamore, Cary Medical Center chief of staff, “ Having access to the HealthInfoNet system will give our doctors the information they need to make more informed decisions about our patients’ care,” she added.
“Having the ability to quickly share comprehensive and vital patient information in today’s health care environment is crucial,” stated Kris Doody, R.N. Cary CEO. “Our participation with HealthInfoNet is just one more way for our healthcare team to keep our focus on patient care and safety, while implementing the use of electronic medical records,” she said.
Doody also said, “Our strategic investments in technology the past 10 years, including an automated nursing documentation system, computerized physician orders, automated medication dispensing and bedside medication bar coding has placed us in the top 2 or 3 percent of rural hospital in the nation with such an advanced patient safety program. We are so proud of our hospital-wide patient care and safety culture and are pleased to be partnering with HealthInfoNet to continue with our efforts.” “We are delighted to have Cary Medical Center participating in the health information exchange. We applaud them for making this important commitment to protect and improve the health of their patients,” said Devore Culver, HealthInfoNet executive director and CEO.
According to hospital officials, Health information exchanges such as HealthInfoNet are being built in states and regions across the country and are widely viewed as fundamental to making lasting improvements in the nation’s health care system. The use of these systems can reduce medical mistakes, improve care coordination, provide better patient outcomes and lower overall health care costs. Health care providers have always shared information when necessary to care for their patients, but HealthInfoNet makes the process much faster, easier and more secure.
During the Sept. 14 announcement made at the Chan Center, guests were welcomed by David Sleeper, vice chair of the Cary Medical Center board of directors. Following Sleeper’s remarks, Doody explained the importance of Cary’s technological journey to achieving digital health care.
Kristin Michaud, critical care nurse at Cary Medical Center, demonstrates how patient medical information will be entered into the hospital’s new HealthInfoNet program.
David Silsbee, Cary’s chief information officer, presented a visual walk-through of how the system works, regarding the entry of patient medical information in the HealthInfoNet system. Silsbee was assisted by Kristen Michaud, a critical care nurse, who will be training medical staff at Cary regarding the electronic health care system.
Roger Pelli, M.D., chief information office/lead hospitalist at The Aroostook Medical Center was also in attendance. Pelli stated it is important that the four hospitals in The County provide quality health care as well as have national connectivity.
Patient participation is voluntary and should one choose to “opt out” this will not affect the ability to access medical care, said presenters.
HealthInfoNet is a private nonprofit organization, funded by a number of sources including charitable foundations, Maine health care providers as well as state and federal government.
For more information go to www.hinfonet.org or www.carymedicalcenter.org.
