Halifax Health Implements Electronic Medical Record

As industry and political leaders continue the debate over national healthcare reform, residents of Volusia and Flagler counties can rest easy knowing that Halifax Health is well ahead of industry standards for modernizing medicine through the use of electronic medical records (EMR).

For years, officials and medical personnel at Halifax Health have been diligently working toward a more efficient, paperless workflow, which is a top priority of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

"At Halifax Health we are committed to remaining an industry leader in the adoption of electronic health records," stated Jeff Feasel, President and CEO for Halifax Health. "We will continue to invest in the necessary technology to make our clinical staff more efficient and effective, and in doing so provide better patient care."

The transition to full use of EMR follows an eight-stage hierarchy established by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). HIMSS Analytics, the authoritative source on EMR Adoption trends, devised the EMR Adoption Model (EMRAM) to track EMR progress at hospitals and health systems. The EMRAM scores hospitals on their progress in completing the eight stages to creating a paperless patient record environment.

The computerization of medical record systems allows a paperless clinical workflow - including documentation, charting and archiving - which helps to increase patient safety, enhance the quality of care and reduce costs for healthcare recipients. Studies have determined that one of the most effective ways to reduce medication errors is the use of information technology in prescribing and dispensing medications. As part of its EMR initiative, Halifax Health has been a leader in implementing Bedside Medication Verification, a closed loop medication administration process that uses barcodes to confirm the identity of both the patient and the medication, to avoid mix-ups or errors.

While the transition relies heavily on technology, the key to the success of the initiative is a dedication to changing the way care is delivered, which requires commitment from the facility's entire team.

"From physicians and clinicians, to executives and support staff, Halifax Health employees recognize the value of electronic medial records," stated Lori DeLone, Chief Information Officer at Halifax Health. "Immediate access to accurate information leads to better decisions. And better decisions lead to better care."

Through AARA, President Barack Obama expects to have full compliance of EMR by 2014; Halifax Health expects to reach Stage 7 by the end of 2011. For more information on AARA, visit recovery.gov. For additional information on HIMMS, visit himms.org. Halifax Health information is available at halifaxhealth.org.

Halifax Health
Building on an 80-year history of exceptional medical diagnostic and treatment services in East Central Florida, Halifax Health is ranked among the top 5% of all hospitals in the nation for clinical outcomes. Within an expanding network of specialized healthcare services at Halifax Health is a tertiary hospital, community hospital, psychiatric services, a cancer treatment center with four outreach locations, the area's largest hospice, and Florida's largest Emergency Department (opening 2009). Halifax Health offers the area's only Level II Trauma Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units, Pediatric Emergency Department, Child and Adolescent Behavioral Services, and Neurosurgical Services. Widely recognized for its outstanding medical staff and leading-edge technology, Halifax Health consistently receives top statewide and national ratings for its specialties, including orthopedics, spinal surgery, stroke services, vascular services, and cardiology. In 2008, the organization was also ranked #2 among the Top 100 Companies for Working Families (Orlando Sentinel). Halifax Health is a legislatively-chartered taxing organization, governed by a Board of Commissioners appointed by the Governor of Florida. For more information, visit halifaxhealth.org.