In The News: Penn Highlands Clearfield nears completion of digital transformation

NEWSWIRE: August 19, 2016

DATELINE: Pennsylvania

Penn Highlands Clearfield is upgrading its current electronic health record and financial systems in an effort to improve patient care and communication with sister hospitals.  

The conversion to the Cerner Electronic Health Record, which will enable Clearfield to interact seamlessly with other Penn Highlands’ hospitals, is well underway and should be completed by March 2017.  An investment of $6 million for the purchase and installation of software and hardware has been made by Penn Highlands Healthcare.  

“Having this technology is essential in today’s healthcare field,” noted Steven M. Fontaine, CEO of Penn Highlands Healthcare. “We fully believe the investment is well worth the benefits the new system provides to improve patient safety and outcomes.”

This technology will provide doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers with up-to-date, accurate and complete information about patients so they can make an accurate diagnosis quickly.  The new system will also have a patient portal, which is a secure online service that with an internet connection will give patients access to their personal health information.  Recent doctor visits, medical history, medications, lab results, and discharge summaries can all be viewed by the patients.  

The new electronic health record system will have numerous safeguards that will comply with federal guidelines for security and confidentiality.  

“This project is a significant undertaking, and we are confident that our implementation team will ensure a smooth transition,”stated Gary Macioce, president of Penn Highlands Clearfield. “We are excited about the future possibilities of this technology and how it will give our doctors, nurses and caregivers the tools they need to provide the safest, most efficient care.”

Read the full article here.