| Hospitals
work with DOQ-IT specialist
A representative from Qualis Health recently met with members of the St. Mary’s and Clearwater Valley Hospitals’ nursing staff to review their clinic processes and plan for upcoming electronic medical records. Helen Stroeble, RN, MPH, is a consultant working with the Doctor’s Office Quality – Information Technology or DOQ-IT program. The consult is one of the services offered through Qualis Health’s Boise office. 
Stroeble reviewed clinic nursing work flows to suggest efficiencies that could be gained when different parts of the Meditech software system are implemented. Her recommendations can be used at each of the medical clinics administered by SMHC and CVHC. “We are looking for ways to improve patient safety and convenience and to facilitate the most productive visit possible between our patients and our doctors,” said Pam McBride, CVHC/SMHC Meditech Project Manager. “When the first phase of our electronic medical records implementation is complete our providers will have access to current patient lab and radiology results, as well as clinic visit notes from any location within our system of two hospitals, seven medical and four physical therapy clinics.” According to McBride, the consult is a no cost service provided through Qualis Health, a private, nonprofit organization based in Seattle with offices in Idaho, Washington and Alaska. They have contracted with the federal Medicare program since 1974 to provide free technical assistance to improve care in key clinical areas within hospitals, clinics, home health agencies and long term care facilities. “It was very helpful to have Helen work with our staff to help us plan for our future electronic medical records. One of our goals with EMRs is to make every thing more efficient for the medical staff so they can optimize their time with each of their patients,” said McBride. “It will be a long process, but the payoffs in the short and long term will make all the effort worth it.” |
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