Information Technology Services

One of our major focuses has been the optimization of the use of the current Electronic Health Record (EHR) functionality and preparing for new phases of implementation, including, ZEUS, a system for reviewing results during Olympus downtime. Some of our most complex work has revolved around the implementation of systems to help move forward with becoming fully electronic or chartless. Efforts included, increased documentation directly inside PowerChart, point-of-care and batch scanning, as well as a Rehab Therapies document system called MediLinks, which interfaces with Olympus.

As part of the Supply Chain Initiative, ITS helped in making the Inpatient and Retail pharmacies robotic and automated, including bar coding all of the medications and implementing new PharmNet software.

In addition to work on the EHR system, ITS staff have worked with clinicians throughout University Health Care to define the Care Transformation project, which is the next phase of the EHR rollout.

A popular enhancement has been an interface from IDX Schedule into PowerChart that allows providers to view their schedule and chart in a single location within PowerChart.

Dr. Pierre Pincetl received recognition from the World Class U Physician Satisfaction Team as a physician who has been named on the survey multiple times for his leadership and service to the Hospital and community. Dr. Marta Petersen was included under the Dermatology specialty on the 2003-04 list of the Best Doctors in America.

One of the goals for the Web Resource Center (WRC) was to reduce administrative duties in one Hospital unit by 10 percent with the use of a departmental intranet.  The WRC focused its efforts on the Burn ICU Intranet and exceeded the goal by reducing administrative duties by 50% by providing web tools for day-to-day planning and communication.  The intranet allows the Burn Unit to spend more time on patient care rather than administrative work.

It was a busy year for PACS (Picture Archiving & Communication System). The system underwent an upgrade and massive data migration, and new modalities were installed in various clinics and interfaces to the Kinetics system for ultrasound reports were implemented. In addition, the routine front-line support for PACS has been shifted to the ITS Help Desk, which frees up the PACS technicians to provide more advanced technical support for the physicians. 

Nutritionists and dieticians now use a wireless hand-held device to order meals for patients from the bedside with the Bedside Menu Management system. Patients’ personal menu profiles are also accessible from the hand-held device which allows the dietician to make modifications within the dietary restrictions.