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Software Solutions
On the heels of a new electronic medical record system in Thompson
Hospital, its Rehabilitation Services Department in 2013 introduced
TheraOffice Documentation from Hands On Technology. Designed
by therapists for therapists, the user-friendly system allows for more
thorough and more efficient completion of documentation on the part
of Thompson’s physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech
pathologists and athletic trainers. While maximizing time spent with
patients, this gives them the ability to deliver records to physician
offices in a timelier manner and streamline discharges, as well as
Seeing is Believing
receive scripts from physicians promptly.
Nationwide, health systems are committed to the goal of reducing
hospital-acquired conditions by 40 percent. Thompson Health’s
goal is to eliminate these conditions. To achieve this goal, the health
system is continually evolving its process improvement initiatives,
including the use of visual management tools. In addition to white
boards in patient rooms featuring up-to-date information on care,
these tools include publicly displayed boards listing best practices
and the latest data on any hospital-acquired conditions within
Thompson. The ICU, for example, has eliminated both ventilator-
associated pneumonia and central line-associated bloodstream
infections. At the close of 2013, the ICU had gone nearly 1,100
without the former and almost 650 days without the latter.
Among the enhancements in 2013 were boards throughout the
health system – including the Emergency Department – displaying
Thompson’s latest patient satisfaction scores.
Marking a Milestone
Thompson Hospital reached a milestone in the journey toward
implementing a fully integrated electronic medical record (EMR)
system, achieving Stage 1 of the government’s Meaningful Use criteria
by demonstrating effective use of EMR to improve the quality, safety
and efficiency of patient care. Advancing through the three Meaningful
Use stages allows the health system to avoid financial penalties
associated with noncompliance beginning in 2015.
High Quality, High Value
It turns out you really can do more with less, and do it well.
Talk to Me
With the Affordable Care Act requiring hospitals to take a hard
look at the care they provide and the costs involved, Thompson
Within Thompson Hospital, it’s not unusual for a patient to have the
Health continued providing high-quality, cost-effective care for
opportunity to tell the CEO, face to face, how she feels about the patients. Confirmation came in the form of Thompson being
care being provided or even what she thought of breakfast. Thanks designated as a Community Value Five-Star Hospital® by
to daily administrative rounding on patient floors, both kudos and Cleverley + Associates. A leading healthcare financial consulting
concerns can be communicated directly to executives, who in 2013 firm specializing in operational benchmarking and performance
added weekend and evening rounding to their schedules. This
enhancement strategies, Cleverly + Associates honored the
increased emphasis on administrative rounding was rolled out in top 20 percent after assessing hospitals in four areas:
conjunction with “Safety Walk Rounds” conducted throughout financial strength and reinvestment, cost of care,
clinical areas by the senior vice president of Medical Services and
pricing, and quality.
the director of Quality/Safety/Utilization Management, allowing
associates to continuously share ideas for better patient care.
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