CentraState Medical Center Streamlines Administration Of Medication Education To Advance Quality Of Care

Nation’s First EMR Integration of Medication Content Uses TeleHealth Services’ Interactive Patient Engagement System

CentraState Medical Center is establishing a new benchmark for patient education best practices by integrating video medication education with a patient’s Electronic Medical Record (EMR) using in-room televisions. Partnering with TeleHealth Services, the 284-bed hospital is optimizing clinical workflows while proactively addressing readmissions, HCAHPS score improvement and Meaningful Use initiatives.

Located in central New Jersey, CentraState is the first hospital in the nation to initiate patient-specific video education automatically when medications are prescribed into the EMR utilizing TeleHealth Services’ SmarTigr interactive patient education and engagement solution. TeleHealth Services is the nation’s leading provider of hospital televisions and interactive patient engagement systems.

The integrated workflow system prompts hospital patients to watch a brief video, in English or Spanish, as their physician completes the prescription order. Patients see the notification in their personal “My To-Do List” displayed on their in-room television. They navigate to the information through their pillow-speaker.

Patients learn what medications are prescribed, why they are taking them, and what side effects are possible. Nurses are automatically informed about what videos patients view and are prompted to discuss the medications and answer any questions. These education events are also recorded in the EMR to easily track a patient’s education viewing history and comprehension.

Providing timely medication education information is one of many ways CentraState uses the SmarTigr system from TeleHealth Services to advance the quality, safety and efficiency of care while engaging patients and family as care team members. The CentraState patient portal (a means for patients to access their personal health information online) is also promoted via the SmarTigr system.

“We knew the SmarTigr system could help us advance our patient-centered mission. This system continues to evolve to meet the needs of staff and patients, and has become a powerful tool to improve care said Fiesta Clanton, MSN, ACNS-BC, RN and director of professional development and education at CentraState. “Coinciding the prescription of video education along with the medication and being able to track that process is an effective tool for improving care and patient satisfaction.”

Matt Barker, vice president of marketing for TeleHealth Services called the integration of video medication information with the patient EMR a milestone for the entire industry. “This is an example of how patient education and engagement systems are establishing a foundational platform to meet the dynamic needs of hospitals and patient care. Interoperability was built into the SmarTigr system specifically to address patient-centered clinical and non-clinical applications. We’re focused on providing the tools that will improve clinical outcomes by educating and engaging patients, while helping hospitals fulfill mandated EMR meaningful use requirements, improve patient satisfaction and reduce readmissions.”

Barbara Aellis-Hynes, director of telecommunications at CentraState, said the medical center is seeing results with patient education and engagement solutions with measured patient portal access exceeding CMS requirements. “By using our patient portal, our Meaningful Use goals are more obtainable. CentraState is proud to be improving engagement and patient outcomes as well as exceeding national quality standards,” she said.

Earlier this year, Hospitals & Health Networks, a journal of the American Hospital Association (AHA), recognized CentraState Medical Center as one of the nation’s Most Wired health care organizations for the sixth year in a row, according to the results of the magazine’s annual survey. The prestigious distinction recognizes health care organizations that have successfully adopted information technology in four critical areas: infrastructure; business and administrative management; clinical quality and safety; and clinical integration.

About CentraState Healthcare System
CentraState Healthcare System is a nonprofit community health organization consisting of an acute-care hospital, a health and wellness campus, three senior living communities, a Family Medicine Residency Program, and a charitable foundation. CentraState’s teaching program is sponsored by Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

About TeleHealth Services
With more than 2,500 healthcare clients across the country, TeleHealth Services is the nation's leading provider of integrated technology and communications solutions for the healthcare market. Combining 50+ years of healthcare expertise and partnerships with industry leading manufacturers, TeleHealth Services is uniquely positioned to offer a full suite of hospital technology solutions that includes:

• Interactive patient education platforms
• Comprehensive hospital television systems
• Bedside patient entertainment solutions
• Comprehensive design, implementation, and service packages
• Flexible financing solutions
• Complete healthcare audio visual solutions

Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., TeleHealth Services is a division of Telerent Leasing Corporation. Telerent, founded in 1957, operates as a subsidiary of ITOCHU International, Inc. For more information, visit http://www.telehealth.com/.