Berkshire Health Systems: Streamlined communications

Source: Healthcare Digital

Date :04/12/2007 10:06:19

Berkshire Health Systems is leading the way with its new Electronic Medical Records.

Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) is the primary provider of health care in Berkshire County; it covers 75 percent of the healthcare requirements in the area. Joe Diver and Michael Blackman MD explained how the company plans to employ a healthsystem wide integrated electronic medical record, and the technology it is investing in to drive these changes.

Written by Lucy Mowatt and Produced by Tom Venturo

Berkshire Health Systems is located in the westernmost county of Massachusetts employing approximately 6000 people and its facilities include two acute care hospitals (27 beds and 309 beds,) physician practices, a visiting nurse association, and long term care facilities.

Joe Diver is the Chief Information Officer for the healthsystem and Michael Blackman MD is Chief Medical Information Officer. Together they oversee the healthcare information systems and technology for all of the affiliates, ensuring that best practice is being implemented.

As such, it would seem that the pair have been working hard; Berkshire Health Systems is almost five years into implementing a new Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system across all sites and departments, which will enable access not only to patient medical history, but to current medication needs and ongoing treatments. This information will also be available to the patient’s primary care physician, who will oversee a patient’s future needs and ensure that the continuity of care is supported.

Michael Blackman says: “We’re looking to integrate the EMR throughout all aspects of patient care within the healthcare system. That includes the inpatient areas, the Emergency Department, the physician’s offices, right through to the visiting nurse.” This means a comprehensive reassessment of recording methods and procedures.

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