E.M.R.-Vendor-Chosen-2011

March 2011

Colusa Regional Medical Center, Caring for Our Community

ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD VENDOR SELECTED

Dale Kirby, Chief Executive Officer of Colusa Regional Medical Center, announced that Healthcare Management Systems, Inc., of Nashville, Tennessee, has been selected to install its Electronic Medical Record and Physician Ordering System throughout the organization. "Our team spent nearly one year evaluating systems, including site visits to hospitals in the mid-west and south. We set the bar high for vendors, requiring a proven track record of excellent customer service and support, a history of working with the unique challenges of a rural health system, and price. We chose HMS because they excelled in every category," Kirby stated. A "Go Live" date for the hospital component of the system is planned for May 4, 2011. The clinics will be brought on line at a later date.

An EMR and Physician Ordering System computerizes all patient care and support services processes and paperwork. Rather than going to the Radiology Department to retrieve an x-ray, or to Medical Records for a chart, all information is pulled together in one computer database for easy access by any doctor, nurse or other healthcare provider caring for their patient. "No more illegible handwriting," joked Kirby.

At nearly $1.5 million over the next five years, this is the single largest purchase of equipment and systems since CRMC was reorganized under community ownership in September of 2001. According to Kirby, the return on such a large investment will come from improved quality of patient care and safety, a dramatic reduction in paper usage, and increased productivity and efficiency of staff. "Virtually every part of our hospital and health system will benefit from this advanced technology, as will our patients," Kirby concluded.

Colusa Regional Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer and provider.