Dublin Methodist Hospital Opens As All-Digital Facility With McKesson Healthcare IT Systems

Atlanta, GA - McKesson, one of the world's largest healthcare services, automation and information technology company, announced that Dublin Methodist Hospital, part of OhioHealth, is opening today as one of the nation's few all-digital, full-service community hospitals. McKesson worked with the brand new 94-bed facility as it was being constructed to implement a full electronic health records (EHR) system using the Horizon Clinicals suite, which supports more than 2 million clinicians nationwide.

"As we open for patient care, we truly know what it means to have McKesson ‘in the room' with our caregivers," said Cheryl Herbert, R.N., president of Dublin Methodist Hospital. "We designed information technology into the building as an essential component of care and committed early on to 100 percent system adoption by physicians, nurses and the rest of the care team. This is in keeping with our partnership in the Pebble Project, a national group of healthcare organizations focused on following best practices in design that have proven to enhance not only quality of care, the patient experience and financial performance, but ultimately patient outcomes. We see healthcare IT as a key enabler in helping us achieve these objectives."

McKesson incorporated its technology within the framework of the "high-tech, high-touch" approach to healthcare that Dublin Methodist Hospital is bringing to its patients. Doctors, nurses and other medical staff will have easy online access to patient information when and where it is needed at the point of care. A computerized physician order entry system supports doctors as they make decisions and place patient orders. Caregivers can chart patient care at the bedside and check to see what was done on the previous shift. Using bar-code scanning technology, nurses will scan patients' arm bracelet IDs so bar-coded medications can be scanned and compared, ensuring they get the right dose of the right medication, at the right time, following the right route.

"Everything that McKesson has implemented in this hospital is designed to meet the changing needs of patients and to improve their experience," said Mrunal Shah, M.D., vice president of Physician IT Services for Dublin Methodist Hospital. "This is not just a few extra products to reduce paperwork, but a full digital infrastructure. The most important part is that everything is clincally integrated so we can easily find the information we need. The connectivity allows doctors to treat patients in the hospital, in their office or at home, and allows for more time for the clinician to spend with the patient."

Through its involvement in the Pebble Project, a research effort led by The Center for Health Design, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization, Dublin Methodist Hospital also focuses on the softer side of care.

• The hospital features all private rooms that are big enough for patients, families and caregivers to help reduce stress, reduce the chance of infection and improve confidentiality.
• All rooms are designed and laid out exactly the same way. What's on the left in one room will be on the left in the next room, reducing patient care errors.
• The hospital's interior courtyards allow natural light to reach nearly 90 percent of all spaces, and the facility also boasts rooftop gardens, a waterfall and trees in the lobby.
• Staff work stations are decentralized and open to bring caregivers closer to their patients.

Herbert noted that the softer side needs technology to be a fully integrated experience. McKesson products include tracking boards in the emergency department to advise caregivers of patient status, leading to greater efficiency and shorter wait times. A centralized scheduling system enables more efficient use of equipment, staff time and facilities, while a surgical management system aids in automating operating room processes. Using McKesson's RelayHealth network, the hospital can electronically process patient bills and insurance claims, while also enabling patients to review their statements and manage their accounts online. And McKesson's analytical tools will enable the executive team and managers to make ongoing improvements in clinical, financial and operational performance.

"The system that McKesson has developed for Dublin Methodist Hospital is the future of healthcare happening right in front of us," said Thomas Harmon M.D., medical staff president for Dublin Methodist Hospital. "The products are focused on improving patient care at every level and are very intuitive. This is not technology for technology's sake – it is making us better doctors."

"McKesson is proud to partner with OhioHealth and the team at Dublin Methodist Hospital as they open one of the most advanced hospitals in the country," said Sunny Sanyal, chief operating officer, McKesson Provider Technologies. "Their vision for safe, connected healthcare is inspiring, and we look forward to supporting them as they pursue clinical excellence and enhanced patient outcomes."

SOURCE: McKesson