Given the dramatic growth in the use of technology throughout business and industry, it follows that health care facilities would implement technological advances whenever cost effective and efficient in serving patients needs in the safest manner possible. At Southwest, technology is being utilized to the fullest, particularly with the implementation of an Electronic Medical Record system (EMR). A physician can now enter an order on a patient’s medical record (previously a chart) by computer, thus avoiding errors in communications from physician to nurses and therapists. Medication Carts and Mobile Work Stations, with mounted laptop computers, utilizing a secure wireless system, give clinicians the flexibility to access the EMR at the point of care (see related article in this newsletter). The dictation/transcription system also can upload clinician’s data into the EMR. Laboratory results currently processed off-site are immediately communicated to the patient’s EMR. To maximize the internal environment of the hospital, there is computerized monitoring of the environmental control and ventilation system (this can also be monitored and adjusted offsite by our Director of Plant Operations if necessary). Our electronic financial system enables on-demand access to financial reports, documents & billing needs as necessary and appropriate.
Indeed, technology is critical to quality care and Southwest continues to look for ways to enhance our operation using technology such as an ultraviolet air supply sterilization system that would sterilize all air coming into or circulating throughout our system. Patients can take comfort in knowing we will continue to enhance our level of care as further technology becomes available.