April 2024—Little Rock, Arkansas
Bradley County Medical Center (BCMC), a critical access hospital (CAH) and rural health provider in Warren, Arkansas, embarked on a transformative journey by integrating the Meditech Expanse Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system with the State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE) Health Information Exchange (HIE). This strategic move aimed to enhance patient care quality, streamline operations, and bolster public health reporting capabilities. The integration was a pivotal step towards leveraging technology for improved healthcare outcomes.
The Challenge
Before the integration, BCMC faced challenges in efficiently managing and sharing patient information. The lack of a robust system for exchanging health records often led to duplicated efforts, increased administrative tasks, and potential gaps in patient care continuity. Additionally, BCMC’s capability to report public health data was limited, hindering timely and effective responses to public health needs.
The Solution
Recognizing these challenges, BCMC chose to implement Meditech Expanse EMR and integrate it with SHARE HIE. The integration process was meticulously planned and executed, involving cross-functional teams from both BCMC and SHARE HIE. The goal was to ensure seamless interoperability between the EMR system and the HIE platform, enabling efficient data exchange and improving patient care coordination. The integration of Meditech Expanse EMR with SHARE HIE at Bradley County Medical Center (BCMC) not only enhanced the hospital’s operations and public health reporting capabilities but also had a profound impact on its associated Rural Health Clinics (RHC) and the utilization of SHARE 24-hour hospitalization reports. This expansion further exemplified the initiative’s reach and its benefits across the healthcare continuum.
“Integrating Meditech Expanse EMR with SHARE HIE and extending its capabilities to our Rural Health Clinic, alongside leveraging SHARE’s 24-hour hospitalization reports, represents a significant milestone in our ongoing journey to enhance healthcare delivery. This initiative is much more than a technological upgrade; it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to improving the quality of care for our community.” said, Leslie Huitt, CEO/CFO, Bradley County Medical Center
“By fostering seamless communication, ensuring timely access to crucial patient data, and enhancing our public health reporting capabilities, we are not just streamlining our operations – we are fundamentally transforming the way we provide care. This integration aligns perfectly with Bradley County Medical Center’s mission to deliver compassionate, high-quality healthcare and underscores our dedication to the well-being of the region we are privileged to serve. We believe that by harnessing the power of this advanced technology, we can achieve a level of service excellence and patient care that sets a new standard for rural healthcare.” – Leslie Huitt, CEO/CFO, Bradley County Medical Center
The Benefits
The integration of Meditech Expanse EMR with SHARE HIE brought about significant benefits to BCMC, its patients, and the broader public health landscape:
- Enhanced Patient Care Coordination: The seamless exchange of patient information between BCMC and other healthcare providers participating in SHARE HIE improved care coordination. Physicians now had access to a more comprehensive view of their patients’ health histories, enabling them to make informed decisions and reduce the risk of duplicate tests or conflicting medications.
- Streamlined Operations: The integration streamlined administrative processes, reducing the time and effort required to manage patient records. This efficiency allowed healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care rather than paperwork.
- Improved Public Health Reporting: BCMC leveraged the interface for advanced public health reporting, including bi-directional immunizations, electronic lab reporting, and syndromic surveillance reporting. This capability was crucial for early detection and response to public health threats, enhancing the community’s overall health security.
- Bi-directional Immunizations: The system enabled BCMC to send and receive immunization data, ensuring that patient records were always up to date. This was particularly beneficial for tracking vaccination rates and responding to outbreaks.
- Electronic Lab Reporting: By automating the submission of lab results to public health authorities, BCMC could contribute to more accurate and timely public health surveillance and response efforts.
- Syndromic Surveillance Reporting: The integration facilitated the reporting of syndromic data, helping public health officials to monitor and respond to emerging health threats more effectively.
The Outcome
The integration of Meditech Expanse EMR with SHARE HIE has positioned Bradley County Medical Center at the forefront of healthcare innovation. The improved interoperability and enhanced public health reporting capabilities have not only elevated patient care but also strengthened the public health infrastructure. BCMC’s commitment to leveraging technology for better healthcare outcomes has set a benchmark for other healthcare providers, showcasing the tangible benefits of integrating advanced EMR systems with health information exchanges.
About Bradley County Medical Center:
Bradley County Medical Center is a 25-bed, Critical-Access Hospital located in Warren, Arkansas and has eight beds in its Senior Care unit. BCMC services include Senior Care, Rehab Services (Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy), Imaging Services, Emergency Department, Home Health, Respiratory Therapy, Laboratory, Outpatient Clinic, Surgery, Medical-Surgical Unit, Skilled Nursing/Swing Bed Care, Wound Care Clinic, and Rural Health Clinic.
At BCMC, they understand that healthcare is evolving. The advance in medicine and strides in technology are providing local communities access to better healthcare. It is their desire to provide the best care in our region. Our associated staff is here to help you and your loved ones when the need arises. The comfort and care of our patients is our major goal. Please share your experiences with friends and family. Their goal is to provide our patients with the best care possible.
Learn more: https://www.bradleycountymedicalcenter.com
