Using
I.T. to Improve Care for Cancer Patients
Holy Family Memorial Medical Center builds on a strong
technology base by completing Phase 1 of its Oncology
Management implementation.
(12/21/2010)
As a Stage 6 recipient and Most Wired winner for small and
rural hospitals, Holy Family Memorial Medical Center (Manitowoc,
WI), has proven their dedication to providing high quality
care. Recently, they secured yet another distinction to add
to their growing list of accolades, from the Association of
Community Cancer Centers.
"We were recognized for our best practice efforts with
cancer care and medication reconciliation," says Jane
Jaeger, clinical systems coordinator at Holy Family Memorial.
"As everyone knows, there are complex challenges to
delivering safe, quality cancer care, and we certainly could
not have achieved this level of recognition had it not been
for our I.T. system, and in particular, our longstanding
partnership with MEDITECH."
As a MEDITECH customer for the past twenty years, Holy Family
Memorial has long taken full advantage of the company's
integrated solutions--including their most recent addition,
the Oncology Management product, which has now completed
Phase I of its implementation. "We wanted one integrated
and electronic solution to help us deliver safe oncology care,
by providing our clinicians with the tools they needed to
efficiently manage workflow and complete their day-to-day
tasks," says Jaeger.
"MEDITECH's Oncology product works for us because it is
integrated, and it touches upon a wide range of other
applications directly related to patient care. We deal with a
very delicate and unique population of patients, and we knew
this application would help us to ensure that their care is
well-coordinated across the entire continuum."
Putting
Paper On the "Spot"
Before implementing Phase I, caregivers at Holy Family
Memorial used a paper-based oncology documentation process.
"Using paper-based documentation in the clinic was not
ideal for us in terms of efficiency and productivity,"
says Joy Singer, RN, director of the Cancer Care Center at
Holy Family Memorial.
"The paper chart was always in a particular 'spot,'
whether that spot be on the physician's desk or with the
receptionist so he or she could schedule an appointment. We
were always struggling to keep track of it, or get it to the
person who needed it next. Now, the physician, P.A., nurse,
and receptionist can all reach the chart immediately from
whatever device they choose."
The Oncology solution has also led to a number of process
improvements at the Holy Family Memorial's Cancer Center.
"Our medical oncologists and PAs are able to create
documentation right when they see the patient," says
Singer. "Before, they had to dictate and then wait to
get the information back from transcription. There are no
more delays in receiving information, and our turnaround
times have improved drastically--this is so important because
our oncology patients often require lengthy treatments and
frequently move between inpatient and ambulatory facilities."
In addition to its integration, MEDITECH's Oncology also
contains functionality specific for cancer patients,
including staging, physician and nursing documentation,
dosing by BMI, and other medication considerations. "Oncology's
Status Board is probably one of the most beneficial pieces
for us, because it's customizable and it has the Flowsheet
component--something our Nursing Status Board and ED Status
Board do not have," says Singer. "It has allowed
our oncologists to quickly and seamlessly document patients'
treatment cycle dates and other key information, including
vital signs, laboratory work, transfusions, chemotherapy and
radiation treatments, and progress notes."
A
Positive Approach Pays Off
Holy Family Memorial plans to continue moving full speed
ahead by expanding their Oncology functionality and preparing
for Meaningful Use. "We are planning on rolling out
Phase II of Oncology, which includes Treatment Plan ordering,
TNM Staging, and CPOE, in the Cancer Center during the first
quarter of 2011," says Jaeger.
"We expect to be LIVE with Ambulatory Order Management (AOM)
in the first half of 2011 in our network, and expand
physician documentation in our ED. Along with our 5.6.4
update, this will put us in a favorable position to achieve
Stage 7 recognition from HIMSS Analytics, as well as become
eligible for the Stage 1 requirements for Meaningful Use."
Jaeger believes that her team's attitude is driving Holy
Family Memorial's continuing success with I.T. and Oncology
in particular. "We were so lucky to have such positive
people working together on sharing their ideas, making
improvements, providing feedback and training, and addressing
concerns throughout the duration of the project," she
says.
"Clinicians who provide oncology care are dealing with
life-threatening illnesses and trying to be positive for
their patients. That positive mind set allows them to move
forward and remain upbeat, even in the most dire
circumstances. I think our Core team members personified that
same positive attitude during the implementation, and that's
why we've been so successful over the long haul."
MEDITECH
Medical
Information Technology, Inc.
MEDITECH Circle
Westwood, MA 02090
781-821-3000
www.meditech.com