Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Integrated EHR for Quality

Integrating the electronic health record to improve the overall care and health of the communities it serves is an overarching goal at West Virginia University Healthcare, Morgantown, WV. The 531-bed system uses the Epic EHR to meet quality measures and ensure patients receive evidence-based care. For example, the hospital designed an order set for heart failure patients that meets criteria of the American Heart Association?s "Get with the Guidelines" program and includes specific criteria for medication use. Richard A. King, vice president and CIO, says the system is working to "use the EHR to identify care gaps and opportunities that may have been overlooked, forgotten or improperly identified." WVU created its Center for Quality Outcomes to integrate functions related to quality, safety and performance improvement. The Center conducts research and develops strategies to ensure organizational readiness for new challenges and requirements such as meaningful use, which is one of the system?s 12 overall PI goals. This strategy exemplifies a well-planned, proactive approach to meeting meaningful use criteria in Stage 1 and beyond. For more information, contact King at kingr@wvuhs.com.