Memorial Healthcare has successfully qualified as one of the nation's
Top 100 "Most Wired" hospitals 9 out of the past 10 years.
Electronic Health Records
All Memorial physicians and allied health providers have access to hospital-based Electronic Health Records (EHR) which provides test results and other medical information in real time. In addition, 63% of the area’s health providers are utilizing a fully integrated Electronic Health Record in the physician office setting which allows the provider to view both their office medical record and the patient’s hospital medical record at the same time. Nationally, research shows that, at best, only 8% of physician offices are utilizing EHR capabilities.
Patient Tracking System
One way in which Memorial Healthcare efficiently manages patient visits is through the use of a leading-edge patient tracking system which alerts staff throughout a service location about the patient’s arrival, when registration is complete, and where patients are within a department. For locations such as the Memorial Healthcare Diagnostics Center and the Memorial Cancer Center, this software system is used to track patient wait times and service delivery times. At the Diagnostic Center, patients requiring just one service experience wait times under 9 minutes. Door-to-door visit times have also been positively impacted for patients needing more than one procedure. If one area of service is experiencing heavy volume such as CT scanning, the patient may be able to receive a lab draw or x-ray while waiting for the other procedure.
Family Tracking System
Memorial’s Surgical Services department installed a Family Tracking System in 2007 in the surgical family waiting area. This system closely resembles airport scheduling monitors, utilizes real-time data from the patient surgical chart and a color system to indicate the patient’s status. Family members are able to identify their loved one through use of an identification code which protects the patient’s confidentiality.
Vocera
The Vocera Communication System allows staff to communicate with each other at the touch of a button on a device worn on a lanyard about the neck. Currently, 8 departments utilize Vocera including the Diagnostics Center, the Memorial Cancer Center, physical therapy staff within the hospital and members of the triage and registration team at the hospitals 24/7 Emergency Department.
Digital Mammography
Digital mammography is the latest technology in the fight against breast cancer. This technology uses a powerful computer to create superior, high quality images of the breast which are immediately viewable by the mammography technician who can make necessary positioning adjustments if needed. Digital mammography offers improved visibility of the breast, particularly near the skin line, the chest wall and in women with dense breast tissue.
Digital Endoscopy
Memorial currently has the best-equipped digital Endoscopy Lab in the State of Michigan. Gastroenterologists are now able to take the highest quality images inside the colon and are able to detect even the smallest, flat polyps aiding in earlier detection and treatment. In addition, the Endoscopy Lab also offers physicians the Pill Cam procedure in order to allow visual images to be taken within the lower intestine.
PACS
Picture Archival and Communications System (PACS) is to a computer system Memorial utilizes to capture, store, distribute, and then display medical images. Electronic images and reports are transmitted digitally via PACS which eliminates the need to manually file, retrieve or transport film jackets.
Bedside Medication Verification (BMV)
Memorial was one of the first hospitals in Michigan to bar code bedside medication verification technology. Each patient has a bar code on their wrist band which is scanned before each medication is dispensed. By scanning the bar coded wrist band and the medication, BMV electronically check for the five “rights:” right patient, right medication, right dose, right time and right route of administration.
Patient Care Pages
A CarePage is a free Web site patient or family members can create to stay in touch with family and friends during times of illness or injury. CarePage makes it easy to Post journal updates about progress, upload and share photos, receive supportive messages from others, and ask for help/advice on discussion boards.
A Plethera of Online Services
Memorial’s web site offers patients and visitors many online services including: electronic nursery, gift shop purchases, paying a bill, completion of pre-registration for procedures, requesting lab results, signing up for online news, requesting medical records and asking a billing question. Hospital job postings and online application submission is another feature of the hospital’s web-based career page.
Calendar of Events
Memorial’s new web site offers a fresh look at events happening at Memorial Healthcare. The calendar not only provides date, time and location, but also displays a detailed event description, and any other important information visitors may need to know.
Free WiFi
Memorial patients and visitors enjoy free wireless (WiFi) internet access through the hospital’s main campus.