Cogdell Memorial Hospital is transitioning to a new computer system.
Chief Executive Officer Ella Raye Helms said the new system is needed to meet today’s medical standards.
“The existing electronic medical record system (EMR) has served its basic purpose,” Helms said. “Although it was not perfect, it enabled us to comply with the ‘meaningful use’ requirements instituted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2011.”
Helms said the hospital needed to find a funding source and did not want to use taxpayer money. Helms applied for a grant for the system and said the district will save approximately $3,000 per month when the system is online.
“In a short time, even without the additional funding, the system will pay for itself,” Helms said.
Cogdell officials reviewed several options before finalizing the switch, according to Shana Barnett, senior project manager.
“We received input from nurses, physicians, billing, admissions, radiology, lab, clinic, physical therapy and administration,” Barnett said. “Representatives from these departments visited hospitals in various markets to see the program in action and ask questions.”
The downside to the system will be the patient’s first visit once the new system is implemented.
“Patients will need to provide us with their information as if they were a new patient,” Helms said. “Once they are set up in the system, patients should experience a much more simplified check-in process.”
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