Healthy Living Newsletter
Truly a “Smart” Hospital
At Mercy, we’re dedicated to working with your physician to provide world-class patient care and safety.
Introducing the smart hospital — a hospital where patient records are stored on computer hard drives, not paper files. Where patient information is available to doctors and nurses right at the bedside.
In a smart hospital, doctors can enter their orders into a computer, eliminating the need to interpret handwriting. Better yet, doctor’s orders are automatically checked against patient records for dangerous drug interactions and allergies. 
In a smart hospital, prescription orders get to the pharmacy instantly, and laboratory results get to the doctor faster. When you’re in a smart hospital, your doctors can check up on you right from their offices, and even their homes in the middle of the night. Consider...your outstanding physician and a smart hospital — what a combination!
This might still be science-fiction for some hospitals, but at Mercy Hospital this combination and these advancements are available now, today!
Mercy Hospital is dedicated to world-class patient care and safety and has been actively engaged in the development of computer advancements to transform the way we deliver care.
“Over the past several years, Mercy Hospital has been the area’s leader by offering the first-ever advanced Electronic Medical Records system. Mercy has worked in concert with area physicians and clinical staff to provide for this computerization of patient information and medical records,” explains Imad Jarad, MD, a local internal medicine physician, and Chief of the Mercy Hospital Medical Staff. “Offering the most advanced software and hardware systems available, Mercy is dedicated to continued investment in this advanced technology for the care and treatment of patients.
“Computerization of patient information is the wave of the future, because it is rooted in an important need to have all medical information pertaining to a patient available and accessible throughout the patient’s health history, right now, right when your doctor needs it,” continues Dr. Jarad.
“It provides ease of access and coordination of care for physicians and nursing staff when meeting individual treatment plans,” says Dr. Jarad. “It offers real-time results for lab testing and radiology studies; all of which enhance your clinical care provider’s dedication to efficient and safe decision making.”
Mercy Hospital currently supports a number of outstanding Electronic Medical Records programs. Patients and guests have experienced an increased use of mobile computers for bedside admissions in the Emergency Room; hand-held devices in patient rooms; and computer access charting throughout the patient care floors.
Some of Mercy’s advanced technology includes the use of:
- PowerChart, which provides for physician orders and results
- Clin Doc, which offers clinical documentation of patient care and treatment information
- PharmNet, one of the most advanced drug-interaction and prescription management systems available, providing for dedicated patient safety.
“Through continued development of these exciting technological advancements, one day, you’ll see that your physician can access your medical data from your primary routine care (including all specialists and testing procedures), your complete health history, as well as your current medical needs and conditions,” concludes Dr. Jarad. “This will provide your doctor a comprehensive and total look at your health: offering the optimum in prevention, disease screening, diagnosis and treatment planning.”
Coming Soon to Mercy Hospital
Mercy Hospital continues to invest in the development and implementation of advanced computerization. Mercy will pilot, upgrade and/or implement a number of new computer systems in the near future:
HealthQuest:
For the complete management of patient registration and billing, HealthQuest computer systems have recently been upgraded, providing for better management of medical services used by patients and their doctors as well as proper billing procedures for a more efficient use of health insurance reimbursement.
Document Imaging:
Coming later this year, Mercy will introduce a document imaging software system designed to offer greater efficiencies to patients and hospital staff. This software system will scan, instead of photocopying, important patient documentation to reduce paper waste and streamline documentation services.
In the future, you will notice that when admitted into Mercy Hospital, your documentation will be scanned directly into your patient file, eliminating redundant requests and interruptions to see your insurance card and driver’s license, so you can concentrate on your health and/or the health of your loved one.
National Provider Identifier (NPI):
Beginning in the spring of 2007, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) stipulates that all licensed physicians in the United States must be registered with a National Provider Identifier (NPI). This private, unique number will be used for billing and collection activities and will replace the physician’s previous identification number(s).
Mercy is working collectively with area physicians to streamline this process to ensure they can continue to provide needed medical care and service in the community while fulfilling this important federal mandate. Mercy will participate in developing and implementing a software system to provide this service to our trusted area physicians.
Wireless Internet Access:
In the coming months, Mercy Hospital will institute hospital-wide availability of wireless internet access for the convenience of our patients and guests. This exciting new addition will allow patients, guests, physicians and vendors much needed and important internet access while within Mercy Hospital.
Website Update:
Look for informational and educational updates of the Mercy Hospital website coming soon! Please bear with us as the website may be down for a few days to allow for these important updates. By the end of September 2006, you’ll be able to visit the site and have access to the latest Mercy Hospital information and health information. Watch for details of this exciting transformation!
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