Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

An EMR Evolution

Moving from a paper world to an electronic one is an "evolution," says Marcy Stoots, RN, director, EMR, at BayCare Health System , a 10-hospital system in the Tampa Bay area. In 2006 BayCare embarked on a seven-year, three-phase journey to roll out BEACON, its systemwide electronic medical record project. An organizational transformation team defined a single set of systemwide practice standards, focusing on clinical data and clinical improvement and measuring success. "It is all about leadership, transparency, teamwork, front-line staff involvement, measurement and feedback," says Cynthia Davis, vice president of clinical transformation. Now in Phase II, BayCare's initiative actively involves more than 250 physicians and 300 frontline clinicians. BayCare nurses also have used the AONE nursing executive toolkit for acquisition and implementation of information systems. They continuously monitor HIT for problems and address workarounds to improve work flow. And the "evolution" continues to advance superior care for BayCare patients. For more information, contact Cynthia Davis at cynthia.davis@baycare.org.