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Mills-Peninsula goes live with electronic health record
On April 1 Mills-Peninsula helped make history by becoming one of the less than 2 percent of hospitals nationwide with a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system.
The 4:45 a.m. “go-live” was the culmination of many months of preparation toward the goal of becoming the first Sutter Health hospital to adopt the system.
The 2009 transition from paper to electronic medical records gives Mills-Peninsula a jump on the nationwide conversion sought by the Obama administration. Sutter Health’s Paul Tang, M.D., of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation was recently named to a federal Health Information Technology committee to help create a policy for the national adoption of the technology.
The change promises improvements to patient safety, as well as time and cost savings, says Bob Merwin, Mills-Peninsula CEO.
“The EHR has all of the most up-to-date information caregivers need in one place: medical history, allergies, medications and test results,” he said.
A nurse in the hospital, a doctor at his office and a technician in the lab can view that information simultaneously.
“The system automatically crosschecks any new prescriptions being considered to ensure there are no negative interactions with a patient’s allergies and current medications. It also reduces the risk of error from interpreting handwriting,” Merwin said.
Award salutes environmental excellence
Mills-Peninsula was recently recognized for its efforts to eliminate mercury, reduce waste and prevent pollution with a Partner for Change Award from Practice Greenhealth.
Practice Greenhealth is a membership and networking organization for institutions in the health care community that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices.
“The Environmental Excellence Awards recognize the initiative, hard work and determination it takes to protect the environment and human health, yet still maintain cost effectiveness in the competitive health care industry,” Bob Jarboe, Practice Greenhealth executive director said.
For more information, visit www.practicegreenhealth.org/awards.
New hospital half way to finish line
Construction on the new Mills-Peninsula Medical Center has passed the 50 percent completion mark according to Larry Kollerer, project manager.
“We are on track for our target completion in 2010,” he said. “Exterior architectural details are going up, and interior construction is under way.”
The medical center will incorporate the latest technology with electronic patient charting and Internet-based capabilities. Advanced engineering technology provides the highest level of seismic safety available, and the expanded Emergency Department will accommodate 50,000 visits per year – a 42-percent increase in capacity.
The more than 240 private patient rooms will be spacious and family friendly with sleeping accommodations for guests in all medical/surgical, obstetric, intensive care and neonatal intensive care areas.
The finished site will include meditation and healing gardens with walking trails for patients, visitors, employees and neighbors.
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Local produce will soon sport logo
San Mateo County’s locally harvested produce, seafood and other fare will soon sport a bright new “As Fresh As It Gets” logo. Any product that carries the logo was grown locally or harvested from San Mateo County’s coastside farmers.
“The As Fresh As It Gets logo will make it easier for consumers to choose health – personal, economic and environmental,” according to Richard S. Gordon, vice president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.