IT ADOPTION

Health Information Technology adoption in North Central Washington

 

Health Information Technology implementation by healthcare organizations in North Central Washington has been "impressive," especially over the last seven years.  The Community Choice consortium has been the stimulus for significant adoption of Electronic Medical Records, increased broadband connectivity and large investments in telemedicine projects including Tele-radiology, Telepharmacy, Tele-interpreting and other forms of exchanging patient health information among distinctly different healthcare institutions in our region. 

 

All of our rural region's Critical Hospitals have benefited from USDA Rural Development Telemedicine grants to introduce advance healthcare technology.  The embracing of Health Information technology along with the expanded regional broadband connectivity makes our healthcare consortium a model healthcare delivery system.

 

As a non-profit healthcare organization, Community Choice strives to generate the necessary collaboration and partnerships with healthcare institutions and other partners regionally to achieve greater healthcare access, improved quality and safety in the delivery of healthcare.  The work we do to engage and create more informed healthcare consumers is a key aspect of our efforts to maximize healthcare resources.  Our consortium members continue to demonstrate tremendous leadership in supporting our work and committing over two million in matching funds to grant projects and membership dues supporting sustainability of much of this work.

 

 

 

Recruiting and employing healthcare specialists such as pharmacist in rural communities has been a challenge for rural Critical Access Hospitals in North Central Washington.  Quincy Valley Medical Center and Lake Chelan Community Hospital, two of these Critical Access Hospitals in North Central Washington, have implemented Telepharmacy technology to allow for dispensing of needed medications to inpatients without having to hire an onsite phamacist. 
Tele-radiology is another USDA Rural Development funded telemedicine application that has widespread use in rural hospitals in North Central Washington.  The ability to digitize images and transmit them to radiologists within and outside our state is a common occurrance in the NCW healthcare delivery system.  Trauma patients can expect their x-rays and critical health information to be waiting for them when they are airlifted to larger healthcare instituions when necessary.
The ability to digitize x-ray images for easy transmission to other regional healthcare providers is a significant benefit for patients.  Other advantages include the reduction in storage for such medica data and greater access for patients needing their medical information.

Mid Valley Hospital in Okanogan County, Washington is one of five hositals that participated in four USDA Telemedicine grant funded projects focused on increasing access and improving the quality and safety of healthcare in North Central Washington.  Mid Valley Hospital CT Scanning capabilities allows for increased access to advanced healthcare delivery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our rural region has benefited greatly from federal grant resources provided through the USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine program, HRSA Community Access Programs and other outreach funding.  State resources supporting special projects and ongoing outreach, education and access to healthcare services continue to play a key role in serving our communities.