Medical Center Expected To Be Pinnacle Of Patient Safety, Innovation
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
LCMC has tapped Omnicell medication automation and workflow solutions for new medical center.
After a somewhat embattled journey to reach their funding goals, LCMC Health anticipates the opening of its new state-of-the-art University Medical Center New Orleans on August 1. The $1.1 billion hospital aims to better serve the needs of patients with complex medical problems and diseases while simultaneously providing a Level One trauma center and disaster emergency response services to the greater New Orleans area.
As part of that effort, LCMC has partnered with Omnicell “to bring industry-leading levels of quality and safety to medication management in the new facility through Omnicell’s medication automation and analytics offerings that help improve workflow in the central pharmacy and clinical units.” The Omnicell offerings will also help foster collaboration between pharmacy and nursing teams in the new facility.
UMC New Orleans will provide primary and specialty care for patients, space for cutting-edge research, and the region’s only level one trauma center. UMC New Orleans stands as the state’s largest teaching hospital and training facility for doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. The goal of the hospital leaders is to shape the future of medical care in the region.
“As we near the opening of our new academic medical center, we are pleased to be working with Omnicell to support improved clinical workflows with our staff and academic partners. Omnicell’s innovative medication management technology is integral to UMC’s creation of a safe patient environment,” said Paolo Zambito, senior vice president of Strategy and Business Development at LCMC Health.
The future of the project seemed uncertain for several months as Louisiana lawmakers debated the budget, but on June 11 they finalized a budget providing total funding requested by hospital leaders to open and operate the facility in August. Under the approved budget LCMC Health will receive $439 million, $25 million more than originally requested.
“Our State’s leadership faced significant challenges and fought hard for the people they represent,” CMC Health CEO Greg Feirn wrote in a statement. “Thanks to the support of our State’s leadership, UMC New Orleans is poised to serve as the training facility for the next generation of healthcare professionals in Louisiana while providing comprehensive, quality and compassionate care to all who need it. We’re grateful to all those who made this bright future possible, and look forward to helping build a stronger community.”