A fully integrated Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is a fundamental enabler for Healthcare Holdings to achieve its vision of being a value- based care provider. The concept is a simple one: that providers should aim to deliver the best possible outcome for consumers in a cost-effective manner by moving towards value-based models of care. Sarah Gardner, general manager patient engagement and quality, MercyAscot and TrakCare project director, explains that data and digital solutions are key in order to quantify the delivery of services and measure health outcomes for patients. “To be a value-based provider, we need to have data-rich information from the start of our patients’ journeys through to the end,” she says. “It’s about using data to a drive great outcomes for our patients at every opportunity.”
“Horizon two is being a mature analytics organisation. Once you’ve got your data digitised and ready for action, my view is, the world is your oyster. It is then a matter of using it to get the best outcome in terms of value strategies to drive an improved patient outcome or deliver more cost-effective care,” he says. “Horizon three is the innovation horizon and the EMR is also foundational in being able to automate and utilise things like AI and machine learning, and embedding a culture of change across the organisation.” The art of the possible MercyAscot previously worked with the Northern DHBs on a plan to purchase an Electronic Medical Record for the region, which ultimately did not deliver a product. Gardner says that experience provided excellent insight and education into the “art of the
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Dr Lloyd McCann chief executive Mercy Radiology & Clinics head of digital health Healthcare Holdings
“THE EMR IS ABOUT MAKING REAL TIME DECISIONS WITH REAL TIME INFORMATION AND MAKING IT REALLY ACCESSIBLE WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE ECOSYSTEM OF HEALTHCARE.”
A story of transformation For Lloyd McCann, chief executive Mercy Radiology & Clinics and head of digital health, Healthcare Holdings, the EMR is the foundation of the organisation’s digital transformation. The investment in the EMR and future initiatives to unlock value from the data it captures are key to continuing to be a leading provider of health care services in New Zealand. By embracing the concept of ‘healthy data’—which is accessible, useable and ready for action—the EMR is enabling MercyAscot to become a data driven organisation, says McCann.
possible” and convinced them of the benefits of a fully integrated and hosted EMR system. During a robust procurement process, InterSystems met the brief of requirements and “ultimately came up with the best price and product”, she says. McCann says the organisation considered going with a hybrid approach, but that brings the added risk and complexity of managing multiple vendors. “Having a simplified foundational layer helps with the innovation that will come downstream.”
Sarah Gardner general manager - patient engagement & quality MercyAscot EMR project director
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