Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

SPOTLIGHT: 2011 MOST Wired-Embracing IT

Clinical IT systems create great opportunities and challenges, especially for rural hospitals. Staff at Columbia Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed, not-for-profit, critical access hospital in Astoria, OR, is embracing the opportunities and working to meet challenges. Nursing staff at Columbia Memorial have "perfected the use of point-of-care electronic charting to improve patient safety and quality," says Guy Rivers, CFO/CIO. According to Rivers, each patient care department uses a clearly identified set of assessment standards and clinical flow charts, medication verification at point of delivery, and a concise discharge planning summary. The nursing IT systems, designed for "predictable, consistent outcomes," have eliminated errors and increased compliance, he adds. For Columbia Memorial's pharmacy, using technology for automation and profiling has reduced medication errors and after-hours entries. In addition, an upgraded PACS has improved image quality and transfer capabilities for physicians and increased accessibility by partners with the Oregon Health Network. The biggest challenge? Finding IT vendors that truly understand the needs of rural hospitals and clinics and can deliver turnkey product integration with other vendors, notes Rivers. For more information, contact Rivers at grivers@columbiamemorial.org.