Located in Galena, Illinois, Midwest Medical Center is a critical access hospital delivering a range of services including emergency care and convenient care as well as inpatient and outpatient services and a fitness center, to its community throughout a rural tri-state area.
Situation
Midwest Medical Center’s paper-based electronic health record (EHR) could no longer meet its needs or achieve meaningful use compliance. While replacing its existing EHR system, the hospital realized it needed to replace other programs that would integrate, including the financial management/accounting program, the system for time and attendance, and the Picture Archive and Communication system (PACs). Midwest Medical initially met with Wipfli LLP (“Wipfli”) to gather insights and plan for the tremendous challenge that lay ahead. It soon became clear the hospital lacked the temporary expertise and resources needed. As a result, Midwest Medical engaged the firm to spearhead this transformation initiative.
Strategy
After establishing a foundation of trust with Midwest Medical, Wipfli brought in its proven methodology for software design and implementation, which incorporates technology acumen with organizational change management. Wipfli then provided executive advisory services, program and project management, and process redesign services for the overall EHR system. In addition, Wipfli integrated Microsoft Dynamics GP financial, payroll, and human resource software with Cerner CommunityWorks software.
Among the many responsibilities the firm assumed, the key ones included:
- Providing Midwest Medical with a roadmap for the implementation journey. Wipfli facilitated discussions and documented current-state workflows and future-state workflows at all department levels including clinical, business office, and all ancillaries.
- Navigating the relationship with the application provider and vendors, Wipfli served as Midwest Medical’s technical advisor, facilitating weekly meetings with vendors and key hospital staff, ensuring contract follow-through, averting potential issues, and keeping the initiative on track and in check.
- In just 11 months, Wipfli helped Midwest Medical completely replace its EHR system as well as three ancillary systems.
Benefits
As part of its ongoing mission to deliver patient-centered care, Midwest Medical is now well-positioned to increase patient engagement with greater access to patient information. The hospital’s new system is poised to improve the facility’s quality of care, documentation, staff workflow processes and further ensure patient safety. It will also provide the means to meet meaningful use Stage I, Stage II, and any future requirements, while creating efficiencies and accuracies and reducing health care delivery costs.
