Go-Live Date Set for McKesson 10.3.1.5 Upgrade

WellStar’s mission is “to create and deliver high quality hospital, physician and other healthcare related services that improve the health and well-being of the individuals and communities we serve.” Clinical Information Technology plays an integral role in enabling and supporting our teams’ accomplishing this mission. 

WellStar Health System is excited to announce an upcoming major upgrade to our McKesson  Hospital Information System. This upgrade to version 10.3 will impact the majority of our hospital-based electronic health record and clinical decision support systems and will go-live March 4, 2012.

Advanced functionality with this release means improved patient care through better application integration, management of clinical data and reporting and implementation of Computerized Provider Order Entry with online medication reconciliation. All new servers and a related database upgrade will improve system stability and performance. This upgrade is the next milestone on WellStar’s Right Path. Right Path branding will help team members recognize steps on our journey to improving patient care through information technology.

Certified technology in the 10.3 upgrade will allow WellStar’s eligible hospitals to qualify for the government’s Meaningful Use program. This will result in WellStar receiving stimulus funds exceeding $30 million over the next four years, intended to offset the cost of our Clinical Information Technology projects.

We understand our teams’ preparation and training will play a critical role in our successful implementation of this upgrade, and we are working closely with Organization Learning to finalize plans that will include multiple training methods including online and in-person training as well as our newly branded, “CyberStars” team. CyberStars are super-user team members who will provide on-site support and expertise, particularly during implementation.

More details regarding timelines, training and next steps will be communicated over the next few weeks. We appreciate your patience and support as we work to implement this important upgrade and begin our journey along the Right Path.

WellStar Named Supply Chain Management Department of the Year

Healthcare Purchasing News chose WellStar as the recipient of its 8th Annual Supply Chain Management Department of the Year Award. HPN, which has covered the people, places, processes and products that influence the supply chain for more than 34 years, selected WellStar for its supply chain division’s emergence as an integrated group striving for world-class status from a “fragmented and unsophisticated” function.

November Issue of Information Technology Newsletter

Click here to view the latest Information Technology newsletter. Featured newsletter topics include: WellStar Implements New Enterprise Master Patient Index, Video Conferencing Update, Physician Portal Privacy, Video Success for the Cardiovascular Operating Room and Telephone Equipment Replacement at Physicians Sites.

IT Rounding

The Information Technology Department will begin monthly rounding on the second Wednesday of each month at WellStar Kennestone Hospital. The IT Team will begin rounding in the Physician's Lounge from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. and then proceeding throughout the facility from 8:30 - 11 a.m. 

WellStar System Computers to be Down from Saturday, April 24 to Sunday, April 25

In order to replace the aging Uninterruptible Power Supply unit at the WellStar Development Center, all electrical power to the WDC must be shut off. Therefore, all WellStar computer systems must be shut down and off line.

WellStar Focuses on Physician Satisfaction

The 2009 Physician Satisfaction Survey revealed a need for improvement in the ease of care, overall patient care and strengthened relationships between physicians and hospital leadership.

PMO Update

The Project Management Office (PMO) celebrated its one-year anniversary in September and is looking forward to another successful year!

In-Room Device Deployment

By June 30, 2010, WellStar will offer computer access at patients’ bedsides in single-patient rooms, greatly improving clinicians’ workflow where they need it most. New, wall-mounted computer workstations will be installed in every private patient room throughout all WellStar hospitals.