Southeastern Med to launch advanced healthcare information system

Written By: Kelli Koch
Communications/Marketing Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@soermc.org

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, March 14, 2012 – Physicians at Southeastern Med will soon put away paper charts and begin using an innovative on-line system to view their patients’ records.

On April 1, Southeastern Med, your community hospital, will celebrate a historic change with the launch of Meditech, a new hospital information system to to electronically streamline patient records electronically streamline patient medical records. to electronically streamline patient recordsThis milestone has been in the works for more than 12 months as clinical, technical and administrative staff members have collaborated to design a tool that will assist in improving the delivery of healthcare across the entire organization.

“The implementation of Meditech has been a great success thanks to the hard work, preparation and commitment of all the hospital staff and departments working together to ensure a smooth transition”, said Ray Chorey, President and CEO of Southeastern Med. “My sincerest thanks to everyone for rising to the challenge in order to transform the way we deliver health care locally.”

With a focus on quality and patient safety, Meditech, designed by Massachusetts-based Medical Information Technology Inc., will unify clinical, administrative and financial information throughout Southeastern Med to provide the most advanced technology available to enhance patient care.

The use of Meditech will allow caregivers to obtain and update a patient’s medical record and medications and immediately access laboratory and X-ray reports, and other test results at the patient’s bedside. Beginning in July, Meditech will also allow Superior Med physicians to schedule ordered tests to be completed at the medical center from their office.

When the system goes live, physicians will be able to share patient information electronically whether from hospital to physician office, hospital to hospital, or region to region. “That’s something we can’t do now,” Chorey said. “Meditech will allow doctors in different locations, such as a primary-care physician and a specialist, to obtain a patient’s medical record in real time to treat the patient. In many cases, this information can alter diagnosis and treatment decisions, as well as decrease the potential duplication of costly services.”

The new software will also improve safety and security of patient information through restricted access to patient files. Every person on a patient’s care team will have a different security profile that will allow them to only access the information they need to perform their duties and keep them from accessing information they do not need. For example, a radiologist can only access imaging information and a dietitian can only access dietary information.

Ultimately, the new system will allow physicians to keep better track of their patients’ health, no matter where they may be. “Before electronic medical records, if a physician was concerned about a patient, they had to call and have a nurse read the chart,” Chorey said. “Now, they will have access to patient information anywhere they have internet access – from their offices to their homes.”

With the federal government’s passing of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, hospitals must now demonstrate they are meaningful users of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) outlined these criteria for meaningful use:

• Improve quality, safety, efficiency and reduce health disparities;
• Engage patients and families;
• Improve care coordination;
• Improve population and public health; and
• Ensure adequate privacy and security protections for personal health information.

“Technology plays a pivotal role in today’s healthcare environment, and I am extremely proud of our organization’s commitment to using technology to meet the highest standards in healthcare,” Chorey said. “Our number one priority is to provide our patients the safest, most efficient, high-quality care possible. By investing in and launching Meditech, we are now at the forefront of using electronic medical records to better meet the needs of those we serve.”

Buffalo Couple Celebrates 50th Wedding Anniversary at Southeastern Med

Written by: Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Oct. 14, 2011 – Despite being in critical condition, Robert Eltringham was determined to express his never-ending love for his wife, Pat, on their golden wedding anniversary. During a small ceremony in the Intensive Care Unit at Southeastern Med on Oct. 4, he repeated the same vows he promised his beautiful bride 50 years ago.

The couple, who share five children, originally exchanged vows on Oct. 4, 1961 at the Byesville Methodist Church. Robert secretly planned to renew his vows with Pat on their anniversary before he became ill and hospitalized in September with toxic megacolon, a life-threatening complication of inflammatory bowel disease that causes rapid widening of the large intestine.

“When the staff learned of our special anniversary, they went the extra mile to help us plan the event and make our dream a reality,” Pat said. “On that day, Robert wasn’t doing so well, and we didn’t think we were going to be able to hold the ceremony. But he’s a bit stubborn and nothing was going to stand in his way of the ceremony. The staff really went above and beyond to accommodate us and get his doctor’s blessing before the ceremony.”

While surrounded by their children and their spouses, the Eltringham’s looked on while their pastor, Kenny Thomas, from the East Forty Church of Christ, blessed their marriage, and a reception followed for the couple, their children and spouses – Patricia and Jeff Davis of Cumberland; Terry and Donnetta Tracy, of New Concord; Laura and Jim West, of Cumberland; Robbie and Barbara Eltringham of Buffalo; and Jason Eltringham of Buffalo.

“The ICU staff was understandably worried, but we worked together with a team of physical and respiratory therapists to determine Mr. Eltringham’s specific needs to hold the ceremony,” said Rita Mellot, a registered nurse in the ICU at Southeastern Med. “With the support and blessing of both Drs. Sarap and Mahayri, we were able to help the couple plan a very special day. We wish this wonderful family many years of happiness and health.”

A week after the celebration, Robert was finally well enough to be released from the hospital. He is now at home recuperating, and the family is planning a small celebration for when he is fully recovered.

“Right now, we are focusing on celebrating life,” Pat said. “The love and support of our family during such a difficult time helped in his recovery. His improvement is a miracle, and we are truly blessed to have been able to celebrate our 50^th anniversary together.”

2011 Mary Beam Tile Featuring Kennedy’s Bakery

Contact: Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Oct. 4, 2011 - This year, Southeastern Med’s Auxiliary Wing 12 is set to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the Mary Beam ‘Christmas in Cambridge’ tile collection by featuring the design of Kennedy’s Bakery.

For many Cambridge residents, Kennedy’s Bakery has been a downtown landmark since 1925 when W.A. Kennedy bought the bakery. Today, Bobby and his sister, Patty, the third generation of Kennedys, operate the family business for their mother, Noralee.

A limited supply of 2011 Kennedy’s Bakery tile is available for purchase at the Southeastern Med Gift Shop, located in the lobby of the hospital, for $15.

The Southeastern Med Auxiliary is dedicated to enhancing patient care through community fundraisers. All proceeds from the ‘Christmas in Cambridge’ tile fundraiser will help raise funds for a STERRAD^® NX™ System, which is a fast low-temperature sterilizer that will enable the Sterile Processing Department to handle more caseloads and keep the operating rooms running on schedule.

Mary Beam is a nationally recognized artist and has been painting, teaching and judging watercolor exhibits for more than forty years. She is an elected member of the American Watercolor society, where she became a Dolphin Fellow and won the society’s Gold Medal of Honor in 1996 and 2002.

The Southeastern Med Auxiliary will honor Mary Beam at the 20^th Annual Wonderland of Trees on Friday, Nov. 11 at the Cambridge Country Club, 60755 Southgate Rd, in Cambridge. Hors d’oeuvres begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 6 p.m., and the auction will begin at 7:30 p.m. The auction is open to the public. Tickets for the event are $35 per person.

If interested in attending or donating a decorative auction item for Wonderland of Trees, or purchasing a collectable 2011 Mary Beam 37^th Anniversary Tile, please call Rita Nolan at 740-439-8151. Older tiles from the Mary Beam ‘Christmas in Cambridge’ tile collection are available at the HayMarket, located at 709 Wheeling Ave., in Cambridge.

Ohio State University Medical Center to Expand TeleStroke Technology with REACH Health

COLUMBUS, Ohio, October 12, 2011 – Ohio State University Medical Center announced today that it is doubling telestroke technology capabilities across their hospital network with REACH Health, Inc. REACH’s telestroke technology allows physicians in smaller hospitals to use live video and on demand patient data to consult with OSU Medical Center neurologists in Columbus for rapid diagnosis and treatment. When a stroke patient arrives at a community hospital an OSU Medical Center stroke neurologist can review patient information, examine and talk with the patient, family members and the local clinicians to help determine the best course of treatment.

OSU Medical Center has partnered with REACH Health, Inc., a medical technology company specialized in developing on demand physician access technologies. Their telestroke network bridges time and distance to smaller hospitals to enable significantly improved patient outcomes with rapid diagnosis and treatment by neurologists specializing in stroke care.

“This will dramatically improve the treatment and outcome for stroke patients living outside central Ohio in areas where highly trained stroke experts are often not available,” said Sara Widing, Director of Neurosciences at Ohio State University Medical Center. “Once a patient has a stroke, every second counts. If we can share our expertise in real time to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatments, we can eliminate unneeded travel time to transfer patients between rural communities and OSU Medical Center.”

Ohio State University Medical Center is the latest in a growing list of healthcare organization and academic medical centers that are implementing REACH’s innovative physician access solutions for treating strokes.  REACH’s easy-to-use, web-based solution provides the information clinicians need to conduct real-time, clinically rich consults. Richard Otto, President and CEO of REACH, said: “We’re pleased to partner with one of the top healthcare providers in the nation to implement REACH’s innovative technology. OSU Medical Center was just named among the top 10 academic medical centers in the nation for quality of care and their selection of REACH as their telestroke provider is a testament to the quality of our clinical software solutions.  We look forward to working with OSU Medical Center to help grow develop and expand their network.”

Michael Racke, M.D., OSU Medical Center’s Chairman of the Department of Neurology, said this life-saving technology allows physicians to quickly review and interact with a patient remotely, while at the same time gives them access to pertinent lab results and CT images.  “A rapid assessment will allow patients to be treated more aggressively and effectively, and, if needed, transferred to OSU Medical Center for more advanced treatment.”

Ohio hospitals that are part of the network include Barnesville Hospital, Coshocton County Memorial Hospital, Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center  in Cambridge, Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine and Lima Memorial Hospital and St. Rita’s Medical Center, also in Lima.

About REACH Health, Inc.

REACH provides robust on demand physician access technology that bridges time and geography for rapid access to specialized care.  REACH makes remote physician consults convenient and easy, enabling specialists to operate in a collaborative care environment with real‐time documentation and reporting.  For more information go to www.reachhealth.com.
About Ohio State University Medical Center

Ohio State University Medical Center’s Department of Neurology specializes in stroke treatment, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders, neuro-oncology, and memory disorders. The department is ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report and is the only ranked neurological department in central Ohio.

About REACH Health, Inc.

REACH provides robust on demand physician access technology that bridges time and geography for rapid access to specialized care.  REACH makes remote physician consults convenient and easy, enabling specialists to operate in a collaborative care environment with real‐time documentation and reporting.  For more information go to www.reachhealth.com.
About Ohio State University Medical Center

Ohio State University Medical Center’s Department of Neurology specializes in stroke treatment, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders, neuro-oncology, and memory disorders. The department is ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report and is the only ranked neurological department in central Ohio.

Court House Lighting to Raise Breast Cancer Awareness

Written by: Kelli Koch
Martketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Oct. 12, 2011 – The bright lights outside the Cambridge Court House will glow pink for a very special Breast Cancer Awareness Month ceremony from Southeastern Med on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. with the lighting ceremony beginning at 6:30. The pink lights will remain lit for the remainder of October.

Along with the pink lights, the ceremony will feature a speech from breast cancer survivor, Becky Wheeler. Information about breast cancer and Southeastern Med’s Power Me Pink program will also be available. The community is asked to participate in the event by wearing pink.

Southeastern Med’s Power Me Pink program provides women who are uninsured and underinsured with breast health education, clinical breast exams, mammograms and additional testing if necessary. The program reaches women 35 years and older who earn between 250-300 percent of the poverty level. The program also reaches women younger than 35 years of age with a family history of breast cancer.

For more information about the ceremony, please call Jen Fannin, Cancer Registrar at Southeastern Med, at 740-439-8156. To learn more about Southeastern Med’s Screening Mammogram Program or to learn if you qualify for a screening mammogram, call 740-435-2500.

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