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