July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Board OK's e-record contract
Jay Hospital Board
The Jay County Hospital board approved a contract this week with Meditech to install an electronic medical record (EMR) system within the next three years.
The Meditech system will cost about $2.55 million and the hospital will need to make an additional $650,000 in infrastructure improvements and training, bringing the total cost to around $3.2 million.
The EMR will allow the hospital and county doctor's office to maintain totally electronic records and the system will also come with safety features to check for things like correct dosage of medications and possible allergic reactions or dangerous drug interactions.
In a meeting three weeks ago, Meditech was presented to the hospital board as the frontrunner in the search for an EMR vendor and the deal was finalized Tuesday evening.
Hospital CEO Joe Johnston said Meditech was chosen since it offers the most complete EMR package and is in use by more than 30 hospitals in the state.
"It brings immediate access to the patient's record," he said of a major benefit of the EMR. "... We can call up that record instantly.
"Number one, I think it can speed up the care," he said, mentioning more benefits. "Number two, it can reduce repeating tests, which can be expensive. It's easily transferable information."
Johnston said the system won't be installed and operational for "at least two full years" and will probably take around three. Work to prepare for the Meditech system will begin in June.
The hospital is planning at this point to cover the full cost of the system. Aid from the federal government is a possibility.
"I think there will be federal money," Johnston said, but explained that criteria for obtaining that funding isn't finalized yet.
In other business, the hospital board:
•Heard the auxiliary report from president Marilyn Post. During February, 61 volunteers worked 978.5 hours.
The auxiliary will also host its annual Easter Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.
•Heard the financial report from chief financial officer Don Michael. The hospital experienced a net loss of $224,413 during the month.
•Approved the Clarian Health Medicare advantage plan. Advantage plans provide some extra services as compared to standard Medicare coverage.
•Authorized MSKTD and Associates to create architectural drawings for renovation work on the Medical Office Building and Jay Medical Facility Building at a cost of $13,000. The plans need to be submitted to the Indiana State Department of Health.
•Approved 14 appointments and reappointments to the hospital's active and courtesy staffs.
•Approved a one-year service agreement with Perceptive Software at a cost of $16,697.17. The system provided by Perceptive is currently used to store medical records.
•Approved a contract with Dr. Leonard Green. The contract has been signed but was not brought before the hospital board in February.
•Were informed that the spring health fair will be held April 17 from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Jay County High School commons.[[In-content Ad]]
The Meditech system will cost about $2.55 million and the hospital will need to make an additional $650,000 in infrastructure improvements and training, bringing the total cost to around $3.2 million.
The EMR will allow the hospital and county doctor's office to maintain totally electronic records and the system will also come with safety features to check for things like correct dosage of medications and possible allergic reactions or dangerous drug interactions.
In a meeting three weeks ago, Meditech was presented to the hospital board as the frontrunner in the search for an EMR vendor and the deal was finalized Tuesday evening.
Hospital CEO Joe Johnston said Meditech was chosen since it offers the most complete EMR package and is in use by more than 30 hospitals in the state.
"It brings immediate access to the patient's record," he said of a major benefit of the EMR. "... We can call up that record instantly.
"Number one, I think it can speed up the care," he said, mentioning more benefits. "Number two, it can reduce repeating tests, which can be expensive. It's easily transferable information."
Johnston said the system won't be installed and operational for "at least two full years" and will probably take around three. Work to prepare for the Meditech system will begin in June.
The hospital is planning at this point to cover the full cost of the system. Aid from the federal government is a possibility.
"I think there will be federal money," Johnston said, but explained that criteria for obtaining that funding isn't finalized yet.
In other business, the hospital board:
•Heard the auxiliary report from president Marilyn Post. During February, 61 volunteers worked 978.5 hours.
The auxiliary will also host its annual Easter Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.
•Heard the financial report from chief financial officer Don Michael. The hospital experienced a net loss of $224,413 during the month.
•Approved the Clarian Health Medicare advantage plan. Advantage plans provide some extra services as compared to standard Medicare coverage.
•Authorized MSKTD and Associates to create architectural drawings for renovation work on the Medical Office Building and Jay Medical Facility Building at a cost of $13,000. The plans need to be submitted to the Indiana State Department of Health.
•Approved 14 appointments and reappointments to the hospital's active and courtesy staffs.
•Approved a one-year service agreement with Perceptive Software at a cost of $16,697.17. The system provided by Perceptive is currently used to store medical records.
•Approved a contract with Dr. Leonard Green. The contract has been signed but was not brought before the hospital board in February.
•Were informed that the spring health fair will be held April 17 from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Jay County High School commons.[[In-content Ad]]
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