February 2025 In the heart of the Arkansas Delta, Progressive Health of Helena stands as a beacon of accessible, high-quality emergency care. As a designated (REH) Rural Emergency Hospital , the facility has been committed to offering expert emergency services around the clock, with personalized care throughout the rehabilitation process. Now, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership with SHARE (State Health Alliance for Records Exchange) and the integration of their TruBridge EMR system, Progressive Health of Helena has taken a giant leap forward in enhancing interoperability, improving care coordination, and strengthening healthcare delivery in the region.
Connecting Rural Communities to Better Healthcare
The Arkansas Delta, known for its rural landscape and limited access to specialized healthcare services, has long faced challenges in ensuring that patients receive timely and effective medical attention. Progressive Health of Helena, however, has made it their mission to bridge these gaps. The hospital’s integration with SHARE, along with the Helena Medical Group’s Athena EMR system, represents a transformative shift in healthcare delivery. This dual integration allows for a more seamless exchange of health information between providers, ensuring that patients receive the best care possible.
With SHARE’s Health Information Exchange (HIE) now linked with their TruBridge EMR system and Helena Medical Group’s Athena EMR, Progressive Health of Helena can easily share patient data across multiple healthcare organizations. This integration eliminates many of the barriers caused by fragmented health information, allowing physicians, specialists, and emergency care teams to access critical patient data in real-time—regardless of where the patient receives care. Whether a patient visits the emergency room, a primary care physician, or a specialist, the interoperability between these systems ensures smoother transitions of care and better-informed clinical decision-making.
“Our partnership with SHARE HIE is a game-changer for rural healthcare in the Arkansas Delta. By integrating our EMR’s with SHARE, we’re breaking down barriers to patient information, ensuring our providers have real-time access to critical health data. This collaboration allows us to deliver more coordinated, efficient, and high-quality care to the communities we serve.” said Justin Pope, Administrator of Progressive Health of Helena
Benefits to Patients and Healthcare Providers
For patients in the Arkansas Delta, this integration means their health information is no longer siloed. When they seek care at Progressive Health of Helena, their providers can instantly access their medical history, past diagnoses, and medications from multiple sources—including Helena Medical Group’s Athena EMR and other healthcare facilities connected to SHARE HIE. This comprehensive view of a patient’s health reduces the risk of medication interactions, duplicate tests, and treatment delays while promoting a more coordinated and holistic approach to care.
For healthcare providers, this integration enhances efficiency. By linking the TruBridge and Athena EMR systems to SHARE HIE, clinicians spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focused on patient care. The hospital staff can now access up-to-date health records from local physicians, specialists, and other healthcare facilities, ensuring that treatment plans are based on the most accurate and comprehensive data available.
“Seamless access to patient health information is essential for improving outcomes and reducing healthcare disparities in rural areas. Through SHARE HIE, our team can make more informed decisions, enhance patient safety, and streamline care transitions. This integration is a major step forward in advancing the quality and continuity of care at Progressive Health of Helena.” said Janice Pryor, Chief Quality Officer, Risk Manager, and Infection Preventionist of Progressive Health of Helena
The Future of Expanded Collaboration
Progressive Health of Helena’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology with compassionate care is a win for the entire region. By utilizing SHARE HIE to connect both the hospital’s TruBridge EMR and Helena Medical Group’s Athena EMR, the facility is improving healthcare interoperability and setting a standard for rural healthcare providers across Arkansas.
The success of this partnership serves as a model for other rural hospitals, demonstrating that when technology and healthcare providers work together, even the most underserved communities can receive high-quality, coordinated care. As Progressive Health of Helena continues to enhance its services and expand its collaborative network, the hospital is ensuring a healthier, more connected future for the people of the Arkansas Delta.
At Progressive Health of Helena, where expert emergency care and rehabilitation meet cutting-edge technology, the vision is clear: to help patients feel better, live healthier lives, and strengthen the healthcare landscape of the region.
About Progressive Health of Helena
Progressive Health of Helena is a (REH) Rural Emergency Hospital dedicated to providing expert emergency care 24/7. In addition to emergency services, the facility offers observation services, laboratory testing, outpatient physical therapy, respiratory therapy, speech therapy, and radiology services, including X-rays and ultrasounds. Through strategic partnerships, including SHARE HIE, Progressive Health of Helena enhances care coordination and accessibility, ensuring high-quality healthcare for rural residents.
Learn more: https://www.phghelena.com
