Impressive Level of Preparation

 

Dr. Trenor Williams

During the last 12 years I have been extremely fortunate to have participated in more than 100 electronic medical record go-lives. I am so impressed with the level of preparation at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and the investment made by the nurses, physicians, hospital executives and departmental leaders over the last several years. That's right – years.

I wish I could say that every hospital is as committed as the Hospital Center and dedicates the time and resources to these crucial efforts, but I can't. Dedicated individuals and leaders have been meeting weekly or biweekly to prepare for the go-live and focus on how to make the transition to advanced documentation and computerized physician order entry go as smoothly as possible.

The Hospital Center is special. The community of patients and all associates should be extremely proud of the work that has gone into this project.
 

This is an extremely important step in the journey. It's certainly not the end of the line. We all will continue to build upon this great foundation as the hospital moves forward and continually improve the system and our care delivery processes.
 

Trenor Williams, MD

CEO, Clinovations

Only the Beginning

Linda S. McCauley, Director
Clinical Informatics

We all become more savvy the more we use our cell phones, tablets, computers and DVRs. We fine-tune what we need, and ignore what we don’t want. We adapt to the new technology and enjoy the benefits of information at our fingertips. You probably “have an app for that!” … whatever that is.

 

Yet, you know there is something new/different/better just around the corner, don’t you? It seems you’ve only just gotten comfortable with that new phone when the next best thing comes along.

Even though I’ve spent months on the team developing the inpatient electronic medical records (EMR) system for MedStar Washington Hospital Center, and I seem to have worked 24/7 for the last week as we transitioned to the new system, the launch of MedConnect II, to me, is a bit like “waiting for the next best thing.” I know our journey has really just begun. We are at the beginning of a very exciting venture in health care.

As we continue on this journey, we will improve the health of the people who live in our communities. We will have solid data that will tell us where to focus our preventative programs. We will connect our patients to more efficient and timely care. We will develop ways to make care even safer.

Our electronic medical records system will always be changing, always be evolving, always improving. Even with the enormous planning efforts, the years of development, the tens of thousands of hours of classes, we are just beginning to put into action what we call the “living use” of MedConnect.

That doesn’t happen with a flip of a switch. It takes time.

Linda S. McCauley, RN

Director, Clinical Informatics

Everything in Its Place



Dr. Peter Hill

I’ve been a physician long enough to remember the days of stacks and stacks of paper medical records in manila folders. Stuffed. Heavy.

I know all about tracking down test results, and trying to connect my patients with their records.

Actually, one need not have been a physician for too long to remember “those days.” I am relieved they are almost at an end. (The next generation of physicians will be armed with tablet computers, easy to carry and loaded with more information than 5,000 square feet of filing space could ever hold.)

With our MedConnect electronic medical records system, all of a patient’s medical records will be available to me in a format that is easy to retrieve. Not only can I see my patients’ outpatient records – such as any procedures or lab tests done on an “in-and-out” basis – I also will have access to my patients’ inpatient records from any previous hospitalizations at seven of our 10 MedStar Health hospitals.  I can even see patient records from other hospital systems.

In brief: I will have a complete picture of my patients. I will have all of the information I need to treat them safely and effectively.

I’m glad I’ve been around long enough to see this happen.

Peter Hill, MD, Chief Medical Informatics Officer

And They ARE “All That"

Sue Eckert, RN
Chief Nursing Executive

Our hospital is charged with extra energy (can that be possible?) as we are set to “go live” with our upgraded electronic medical records (EMR) tomorrow.

I am awe-struck at the accomplishments of our team – your caregivers – and that is a significant statement for me. As a nurse here for more than 30 years, I know what our associates are capable of. I saw them join forces on Sept. 11, 2001 like never before. I have seen them bear down and push forward to save lives. I have seen them do the extraordinary every day.

I want our community to know that our associates are extraordinarily well-prepared and well-trained for our new system. Their teamwork has been awe-inspiring.  Bedside nurses have stepped into leadership roles. Schedulers have learned to program spreadsheets. Informatics nurses have become logistics experts.  I've seen our fabulous nurse leaders encourage and manage their staff so well that no nurse has been left behind.

I want our community to know how grateful I am to the 1,700+ nurses who signed up and showed up for training. This was a hands-on, pull-your-weight, all-hands-on-deck, no-holds-barred, let's-get-it-together situation, and every single person came through.

That's amazing.

Now, let's get started!

Patient Patients in the ED



Dr. Bill Frohna

Our ED team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center is one of the most experienced in the country, handling more than 90,000 patient visits each year. That’s an average of about 250 patients per day. As many of you have experienced, it gets very, very busy.

Our new electronic medical record system is designed to help us provide better and safer care to our patients, which will help us enormously in hectic situations. In emergencies, every second matters. If you have been a patient with us before – or at any of our six other MedStar Health hospitals that use MedConnect – we will have your history instantly. We will know about any pre-existing conditions you have and take that information into consideration as we treat you. We can avoid giving you medications that could interact with what you already are taking.

At a hospital like ours, where we care for some of the most complex cases in the region while also taking care of the daily needs of people living in our community, we are looking forward to the extra help from our new “e-partner!”

As with anything “new,” however, we will experience delays in the ED as we become familiar with the system. So, in advance, I thank you – our patients – for your patience with us. In a short time, the new EMR will be helping us provide better, safer, more efficient, more timely care for everyone who comes through our doors.

Bill Frohna, MD, Chair, Emergency Medicine

It’s Like a House Renovation – Only a Million Times More Complicated!

George Thorne,
Director of Engineering

If you can remember where you lived in 1958 (the year MedStar Washington Hospital Center opened) or even any time in the 60s, 70s, or 80s, you’ll recall that a house or apartment was lucky to have two electrical sockets per room. That’s how things were at the Hospital Center when my father was a paint/plaster supervisor here from 1964 -1987. It’s the way things were when I joined the Hospital Center family in 1969.

How things have changed!

For the last year, as we prepared the Hospital Center physical plant for our upgraded Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system, our engineers have walked through and assessed all 926 rooms, all operating rooms, all treatment areas – and more – many, many, many times to assure everything is up to code, modernized, and ready for our new equipment.

Working with our partners in Design and Construction, and Information Technology, we have installed, upgraded or built:

• 300+ electrical outlets
• 2,668 devices (desktop computers, hand-held computers, tracking boards, monitors)
• 80+ new cabinets
• 46 new desktops with a wall-mount arm
• 68 new countertops and shelves
• Completely renovated 3 patient units

The engineers are proud to be part of this moment in the Hospital Center’s history. I think my Dad would be proud, too.

George Thorne, Director, Engineering

Simply Extraordinary



Janis Donnelly, BSN, MS, MBA

Senior Nursing Director Quality, Safety and Education

It’s an extraordinary nurse who volunteers to step away from the bedside for three months to thoroughly learn a new electronic medical records (EMR) system, then turn around and train other nursing colleagues.

I am proud to say that we have 18 such extraordinary nurses at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

These patient caregivers love caring for patients, and they are great at it. Yet, they immediately understood the critical role nurses have in launching this upgraded system, aimed at enhancing efficiency, safety and the timeliness of care. They became so proficient with the ins and outs of the system that they recommended more efficient and practical ways of doing things.

They saw a need, and stepped up to meet that need.

We could not have launched this system without this team of nurses. And when they return to their units next week, they will continue their “trainer” role for several more weeks before they once again devote themselves to direct patient care.

One of our nurses, Maureen Long, works in the medical intensive care unit. She said, “We’ve been very involved.  We formulated and wrote the lectures. We developed workflow systems.” Another nurse, Megan Philbrick, who normally works on the surgical intensive care unit, said, “I’ve gotten to meet so many people from so many parts of the Hospital Center, and that’s been fun.  It’s been a nice change of pace. But after this is over I’m excited to go back to caring for patients.”

We can’t wait to have you back on the units, Megan and Maureen. All of us at the Hospital Center, and me, especially, thank you for your amazing efforts. I have learned so much from you and this terrific team of nurses who are putting their hearts and souls into making sure this important new system is the best it can be for our patients.

Janis Donnelly, BSN, MS, MBA

Senior Nursing Director Quality, Safety and Education

Pain, Pain, Go Away

Dr. Greg Argyros

There are many reasons I’m excited about our new electronic medical record (EMR) system, but one aspect stands out the most for me: our EMR, MedConnect, gives us more tools to help manage our patients’ pain in “real time.”

MedConnect will help us keep better track of medications and how our patients respond to them. We can match the cause of a patient’s pain to the medication that will best reduce it. And, we can more readily search for alternative medications if the current option isn’t working.

Managing pain helps people heal faster.

And side effects? We want to manage them, too. MedConnect gives us tools to stay on top of the unpleasant side effects of pain medications, such as sleepiness, nausea, constipation and itching, so we can treat these symptoms.

I want our patients and their families to know that we are focused on timely, effective pain relief. Our doctors and nurses are committed to giving patients the best pain relief possible, while keeping the side effects to a minimum.

Greg Argyros, MD

Assistant Vice President, Medical Affairs

Who’s Your Mom?



Cathie Monge

“How satisfied” you are with the care and service we provide is one of our top priorities at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. This isn’t just talk: for quite a while now, we have implemented programs throughout the hospital, in all departments, that focus on customer service, cleanliness, quality care and efficiency.

As we go live with our new electronic medical record (EMR) system, we know there will be an added level of “newness” that could make it seem as though your caregivers are distracted. I want to assure you, they are not distracted! They are making absolutely sure they are doing right by you, by paying extra attention to and getting used to the new system. They all have received many hours of training. Soon, it will all be second nature to them.

Just in case … and just to make sure our patients feel welcomed and cared for … we are adding an extra level of support to the terrific associates who take care of you, with our “Adopt a Patient” program.

Leaders throughout our organization will visit patients regularly during the initial stages of the EMR to address any concerns (or, to happily accept compliments!). We already consider our patients to be family members, so this seemed a natural step for us.

If you or a loved one is admitted to our hospital during the next several weeks for any reason – planned surgery, to deliver a baby or for emergency care – we’ll be seeing you on the units.

Just call me Mom.

Cathie Monge, Senior Vice President, Operations

The Cure for Bad Handwriting

Dr. Peter Hill

I’m not sure, but I think I’ve found the cure for doctors’ bad handwriting: electronic medical records.

As Chief Medical Information Officer at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, a pulmonologist who first came to here in 1987, I am very pleased to confirm that our MedConnect electronic medical record system offers certain features that are especially welcomed by our nurse and medical tech colleagues. In particular, I would say “Computerized Physician Order Entry,” or CPOE, as we refer to it, is at the top of the welcome list for individuals whose work involves reading physician’s handwriting.

CPOE is a significant MedConnect safety feature. When I give instructions, or “orders,” for a patient to have a specific test done, or to increase his walking by 10 minutes each day, or to get out of bed, the bedside caregiver has clear typed instructions, no “figuring out” or deciphering handwriting is necessary. No time wasted about whether I ordered a CT with or without contrast, or how long the patient should walk, or when the patient should be discharged.

CPOE gives us all peace of mind that we are doing the right, safe thing for our patients.

Peter Hill, MD, Chief Medical Informatics Officer

It's All About You



Sue Eckert, RN
Chief Nursing Executive

As a nurse of 30-plus years, I still love being on units with patients. As the chief nursing executive at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, I can tell you with great confidence that our nurses love taking care of you. We know that their compassionate care and commitment to safety comes through loud and clear, because you tell us this all the time.

As we make this transition, we are taking extra steps to help our nurses continue to provide the safe, excellent care they are committed to and that our patients have come to expect.

We are bringing in EMR experts to work around the clock to help with the new system as our nurses gain confidence and experience. We have added extra shifts to allow our nurses to spend extra time getting comfortable with the new system. We have made arrangements for additional temporary nurses to provide an extra layer of support with the system and with patient care.

Our nurse leaders will be very visible on the units, too, supporting our floor nurses. They are deeply committed to their nursing teams, just as our nurses are committed to you. 

In the coming weeks, you’ll be hearing more from me about the amazing work our nurses are doing to make this transition successful. In the end, it’s all about taking care of you.

Sue Eckert

Chief Nursing Executive

The “Why” of MedConnect and the “What” of Our Blog



Dr. Janis Orlowski

We are about to flip a very important switch. And we are excited to invite you to take this journey with us, as we launch our new, upgraded electronic medical record (EMR).

On Saturday, July 27, at 11:59 p.m. – a day all MedStar Washington Hospital Center associates have had circled or highlighted on their calendars for nearly a year – MedConnect goes live.

If you have ever successfully synced your mobile phone with your tablet, or networked several computers in your home, you know the benefits of being connected. Everything is at your fingertips in an instant.

At the Hospital Center, we are syncing and connecting systems on a scale that is hard for most people to imagine and that few hospitals in the world have accomplished! After more than 25,000 hours of learning and training, we are connecting 926 beds on 32 nursing units, 6,500 associates, and 1,600 medical staff and residents.

For our patients, this means: 

• Better coordination of your care among all of the people on your team.
• More timely care, with information about your medical history, medications, test results and treatment plans all in one place.
• Enhanced safety, thanks to less reliance on paper records and handwritten orders.

During the next several weeks, we will share more information about MedConnect, and the fantastic people behind it through a daily blog. We will show you what it’s like to be behind the scenes at one of the largest and busiest hospitals that cares for nearly half a million patients each year. And we will explain the benefits of an EMR, particularly as health care experiences so many critical changes.

Please visit our blog daily, share with your friends, and look for more information and photos on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/medstarwashington.

This is an important step for MedStar Washington Hospital Center and a very important addition to our ability to provide you with the highest quality, safest possible care. Thank you for joining us on our journey.

Janis M. Orlowski, MD, MACP

Chief Operating Officer/Chief Medical Officer