Jobs created by need to move to Electronic Health Record system

Work is under way at Lakeland HealthCare to move to an Electronic Health Record system.

The hospital recently announced it would be adding dozens of new clinical, information technology and support positions in coming weeks to get the project moving.

The federal government has mandated that hospitals have a comprehensive Electronic Health Record system in place by 2014.
 
The transition is the most complex change the hospital has undertaken says, Norma Tirado, Vice President of Human Resources and Health Information Technology at Lakeland HealthCare.

An Electronic Health Record system also enhances the ability of the patient to access their own records, and it will improve communication across the continuum of care.

"In other words, this technology will enhance Lakeland's ability to provide care that is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, and equitable," Tirado says.

The ultimate goal of the move to the new records system is to share information across many health care settings, significantly reduce the risk of unintentional error, and increase the speed with which care can be administered.

Lakeland expects to have the first phase of this Electronic Health Records system in place by April 2012.

Lakeland HealthCare is a non-profit, community-owned health system, which includes three hospitals, an outpatient surgery center, rehabilitation, long-term care, and home care services.

Lakeland has more than 3,500 associates who provide clinical and support services at locations throughout Southwest Michigan, and partners with over 350 primary and specialty care physicians.

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Norma Tirado, Lakeland HealthCare