THE IT&S 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

North Texas Division “The Architects”
CIO: Leah Miller
Empowering Patients
TOP ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2015
The North Texas Division empowered the patients it serves with a
robust, interactive patient experience platform. Through a tablet
application that integrates text, audio, and 3D visual imagery into
an intuitive touch screen solution, patients can actively engage
in healthcare education, appointment scheduling, and other
tasks. This puts more control into the hands of patients and has
contributed to positive growth in patient satisfaction scores. Due
to the overwhelming success of the program, new features are
planned for 2016.
Connected Emergency Care
The North Texas Division deployed new emergency
communication technology with integrated EMS telemedicine
that enhances care for patients even before they arrive at the
hospital, and as they transition into the emergency department.
This new technology offers real-time connections, whether by
recording a patient episode in an ambulance and transmitting it
to an ED or performing telemedicine sessions with a physician
on a tablet. The further development expected in 2016 will
include technology integration with helicopter life flight medical
transport.
Keeping Patients on Track
Follow-up patient care after an ED visit is critical.
That’s why North Texas launched an ED discharge
texting program in 2015, so patients would receive
follow-up care that reinforces physician instructions
and encourages individuals to get the continued care
they need. Future plans for 2016 include an in-patient
texting model to help our most critical patients avoid
readmission.
TOP ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2015
Wearable Patient Monitoring
The San Antonio Division forged new ground in 2015
boasting the first HCA hospital to provide physicians
and nurses with immediate access to wearable vital
patient monitoring through their automated EHR vital sign
integration. Collaborating with the Specialty and Transplant
Hospital of Methodist Hospital, the team implemented a wearable
vital signs monitoring system that keeps clinicians connected
to their patients 24/7. A comfortable body-worn censored cuff
provided patients with the freedom of movement while enabling
accurate and continuous monitoring of vital signs and blood
pressure.
Catering to Children
Recognizing the special needs children have in a healthcare
setting, especially in the ED, the San Antonio team implemented a
pedi-specific MEDITECH Emergency Department module at their
Methodist Children’s Hospital. The implementation substantially
enhances pediatric content, and the pediatric customization
matches the unique requirements for children patients. There
are plans to deploy this terrific new technology to the entire HCA
enterprise.
Breaking Barriers in Secure
Healthcare Communication
The San Antonio Division took secure mobile communication to
a new level in 2015 with a suite of capabilities for Metropolitan
Methodist Hospital. Through a special iMobile “Copper” initiative,
care teams were given secure connectivity for sharing patient
specific information instantly. This new mobile initiative insures
HIPAA compliance and provides a secure communication solution
without major infrastructure investments, while also laying a
baseline for a more comprehensive secure messaging capability
in the future.
CIO: Eddie Cuellar
San Antonio Division “The Innovators”
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