Taking a Lead in Medical TechnologyIn the constant race to improve patient care, hospitals find themselves in a perpetual search of new technologies, that groundbreaking procedure or innovative tool that can position them ahead of their competitors. Administrators and staff at Deborah Heart and Lung Center are without exception. In the Center’s past few years of operations, greater funding has been made available for technological improvements; advancements that can help eliminate paperwork, free physicians from their computers and boost patient satisfaction. Most recently, physicians at Deborah were equipped with handheld Compaq iPAQ Pocket PCs, a move to both improve staff efficiency and acclimate the Center to the future of hospital operations. Assisting with the project, Deborah contracted Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, the leading provider of point-of-care decision support solutions for physicians; innovative software helping doctors offer patients the most comprehensive care at their bedside. “The future of medicine is the improvement of the flow of information, and these devices will definitely contribute to improving the way doctors use information and how that information, in turn, benefits patients,” said Augustine Agocha, MD, Attending Cardiologist at Deborah and advocate for the Allscripts system. Continuing, Dr. Agocha said that use of the handheld computers should also improve insurance company communication, in-house time management and provide real-time information on managing patients. Utilizing Allscripts’ Touchworks program, Deborah is enhancing physician productivity through automation of the most common physician activities, including prescribing medication, capturing charges, ordering labs and viewing results, providing patient education, and dictating clinical notes. Still, Deborah’s use of the devices has only scratched the surface. In addition to currently employed applications, administrators are assessing the potential of allowing physicians to order tests, access a patient’s Electronic Medical Record, schedule patients, and even supply patients with discharge documentation, among other things. |
Together with the implementation of other new technologies, including a wireless network and new telephone system, Deborah has positioned itself ahead of many other medical institutions. “Deborah’s overall goal is to be at the forefront of technology, not playing catch up,” said Dr. Agocha. “All of the technological investments Deborah has made - Allscripts, the wireless network, the new phone systems, etc. - have a specific goal of improving physician efficiency, improving patient care, reducing human error, improving medication safety, and improving overall communication among the medical staff. This is the future of medicine. There are hospitals that are going to wait until they are forced to change; we want to do it because we think it’s the right thing to do.” Realizing that technology is ever changing - that devices get smaller, applications get faster and tools become more efficient -Deborah has committed itself to the future, careful not to rely solely on a select few devices. “We like to stay on the cutting edge at Deborah, and with the influx of new technologies being introduced, we have positioned ourselves at the forefront of many institutions within our profession,” said Gerard Williams, Director, Information Systems. “That aggressiveness looks to continue well into the future, as administrators and staff constantly evaluate the latest and most efficient technology.” |
Return to Home l Cardiac Services l Pulmonary Services l Patient Information l Support Groups l Directions
Are You Interested in Being Contacted for an Appointment?
Questions? send your e-mail to
askaquestion@deborah.org