After researching several electronic health record (EHR) systems over a two-year span, Ohio’s Hospice is now implementing Netsmart statewide. Netsmart projects include a suite of EHR systems, which will allow Ohio’s Hospice to connect with all affiliates and associate members using a common medical record.
Netsmart is a healthcare software company that develops technology and provides services that support individualized care and improves outcomes.
“We chose Netsmart because it is committed to the patient populations that we serve,” said Terri Gross, RN, BS, CHPN, senior director of Mission Excellence. “Netsmart wants to partner with us to continue to develop superior products in the niche population.”
Reaction From Staff
Netsmart has been well received by staff throughout Ohio’s Hospice.
“I have used the iPad all weekend, and there are so many things I love about it. I have never used one before.”
— Teresa Carter, RN Extended Hours, Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton
“July First, go live day
Point, click, assessment, save, done
Fast, easy, happy”
— Keri Shuman, RN Care Manager, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare
“I like how easy it is to synch. It also auto synchs during the day so that you can see noted that may have been entered during the day, i.e., from the SW or chaplain or from triage. I also like that you can pull-up anyone. There is no need to quick synch if you have to add a patient from another team onto your schedule.”
— Monica Rogers, RN Care Manager, Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton
“Just speaking for myself, the ICC admission process is amazing. So much faster, and being able to add care plans prior to the patient arriving is wonderful for time management. The charting time and data option to track PRN usage and efficacy is a great tool. Overall, this system is the easiest and most user friendly I’ve used, and this is my fourth.”
— Jennifer Hawkins, RN Hospice House/IPU, Hospice of Central Ohio
Implementation
Implementing a universal EHR, Netsmart Homecare for Hospice, and myAvatar for Palliative Care at all affiliates will allow Ohio’s Hospice to improve patient outcomes and patient safety.
Ohio’s Hospice also is implementing Care Connect as its universal health information exchange. This will enable Ohio’s Hospice to exchange patient information with local providers, as well as between its palliative care programs and hospice programs.
“Because we can exchange that information, there is less risk of error in communication,” she said. “The patient and family will only need to tell their story once, and our clinicians all have access to that information.”
Ohio’s Hospice teammates in all areas will have ready access to the same consistent EHR information and will be able to assess and follow up on patients’ uncontrolled symptoms, identify allergy information, manage medications, provide and reinforce patient safety education, and create and follow a patient’s individualized plan of care. All Ohio’s Hospice affiliates will use the same assessment templates and plans of care, which can be individualized to meet the patient’s and family’s goals for care.
iPads
Ohio’s Hospice is implementing the use of iPads at the bedside for all clinicians working in patient homes and facilities. “The iPad is less intrusive for patients and families and has a much easier workflow for clinical teammates,” Gross said
The iPad also has a self-syncing feature so that data is sent back to the host system in almost real time, which allows for clinicians in the triage areas and in the inpatient units to access patient information and plan follow up calls or transfers quickly.
“All of this improves patient care and supports our mission goal for superior care and superior service throughout Ohio’s Hospice,” she said.
Netsmart Homecare
Currently, Ohio’s Hospice is using Netsmart Homecare for its hospice programs. In addition to Netsmart Homecare, Ohio’s Hospice has agreed to test myUnity, a new hospice system; myAvatar, which is for our palliative care programs; and Care Manager, which will be used for our population health programs.
Netsmart Homecare is currently being used by all affiliates. Hospice of Central Ohio and Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare went live on July 1.
In addition to that project, Ohio’s Hospice moved its Netsmart Homecare System to the hosted environment with Netsmart taking over the management and maintenance.
myUnity
Ohio’s Hospice also implemented myUnity at Community Hospice, an Ohio’s Hospice associate member based in New Philadelphia, Ohio, on Feb. 1 after about six months of planning and preparation.
“While the system is new, the clinical users at the bedside love the workflow as the system is forms based,” Gross said. “Netsmart has been working closely with a steering committee consisting of Capital Caring, Cornerstone, Care Navigators, Empath Health and Ohio’s Hospice – all very large hospices – to improve the product so that it is easy to use and reflects the interdisciplinary concept that is the core of hospice care.
Valley Hospice, an Ohio’s Hospice associate member based in Rayland, Ohio, is in the initial planning phase for myUnity and will go live on Sept. 1.
myAvatar
At Community Hospice, Hospice of Central Ohio, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare and Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, myAvatar has been implemented for palliative care programs. “The feedback from our care teams has been very positive for ease of use,” Gross said.
Care Manager
Care Manager is in the early stages of build and implementation with Pure Healthcare.
“We are excited about partnering with Netsmart to deliver value-based care to our patients and families through cutting-edge technology,” Gross said.
Care Technology Team
The Care Technology Team combines clinical and IT expertise focused on supporting the various EHR systems and implementations.
“The Care Technology Team communicates and works with the Netsmart Implementation and Support teams to plan, develop, implement, update and support all of the various Netsmart products, as well as all other systems that integrate with the EHRs,” Gross said. “Our Care Technology Team has been instrumental in the implementation of this new technology throughout the state of Ohio. We appreciate the efforts of each team member.”
Members include Jessica Brown, Brittany Williams and Kristy Brock, who are the team’s nurse informatic specialists; Craig Thacker and Mike Toerner, network administrators; Mark Hensel and Chris Zappanti, IT integration analysts; and Melissa Bauer, data base administrator.
Questions?
If you have any questions about Netsmart, please contact Terri Gross at TGross@OhiosHospice.org or 937.256.4490, ext. 2219, or any member of the Care Technology Team.
