Athens Regional Medical Center will deploy a new electronic medical record and practice management system.
The Athens, Ga.-based 375-bed hospital is implementing the Eclipsys PeakPractice EMR/PM solution to help connect patients and physicians in the northeastern part of the state. Officials also expect the solution to help satisfy the government's “meaningful use” of IT provisions that would qualify the hospital for stimulus funds in 2011.
“Not only will this program support increased operational efficiency within our organization, we are making it much easier for community physicians to receive economic benefit from adopting technology that supports improved care delivery, because the PeakPractice solution offers capabilities to help enable physicians to qualify for incentives under ARRA,” said Tim Penning, the hospital's CIO.
“This initiative will serve to standardize data transfer and communication between our organization’s ambulatory and acute care environments, while at the same time serving to enhance the efficiency and quality of care within our physician practice offices,” said Penning. “We look forward to implementing our strategic physician alignment plan and facilitating the exchange of care information that leads to an enhanced patient care experience and improved outcomes.”
Hospital officials plan to leverage PeakPractice to help connect affiliate physicians in northeast Georgia. They also expect to integrate more patient care information topics that include allergies, current and past medication and up-to-date medical history.
“We recognize the clinical and economic importance in achieving connectivity among all healthcare providers and care settings in our regional area,” said Larry Webb, chief financial officer of Athens Regional Health Services. “Not only will this program support increased operational efficiency within our organization, we are making it much easier for community physicians to receive economic benefit from adopting technology that supports improved care delivery, because the solution offers capabilities to help enable physicians to qualify for incentives under ARRA.”
“By providing physicians with access to a connected clinical solution and integrated EMR, Athens Regional is undertaking significant ownership to promote enhanced care collaboration and economic stimulus within the North Georgia region,” said Jay Deady, executive vice president of client solutions for Atlanta-based Eclipsys.
