Being from such a small area like Southern Vermont, I become very proud when I see headlines that say the smallest hospital in the state is also only the second hospital to reach "Stage 6" of electronic medical record adoption. HIMSS analytics devised 8 stages (0-7) of EMR adoption. Stage 6 means that Grace Cottage has physician documentation, a full clinical decision support system, and radiology picture archive and communication system. I interviewed the CEO of Grace Cottage last June for my MSI final project in RMSP, and they were implementing the EMR system that week. It is impressive that such a small hospital was able to reach Stage 6 by October 2012, and is continuing the process. EMRs allow for much better communication and ease of access between offices, and in a rural area, this is critical. The EMR is an important element of the medical home concept, which may by the future of medicine in rural Vermont. As a future practitioner, I am lucky in that my training will consist fully of EMRs, and therefore, I will be prepared to practice anywhere, especially in Southeastern Vermont.
Link to the Original Article
Explanation of the 8 Stages
Ali,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment that the EMR is an essential element of the medical home concept. I think it is quite impressive that Grace Cottage utilizes the EMR in such an expansive way.
Ali,
ReplyDeleteI read with great interest your article about Grace Cottage Hospital. It can be great example to other rural hospitals. Also it shows the importance of better communication,and better access to health care in rural areas .
Mary