LHP Hospital Group Utilizes McKesson Paragon To Support Hospitals In Need

Low-cost, contemporary HIS technology helps fuel growth, modernize care in communities

LHP Hospital Group in Plano, Texas, has implemented McKesson’s top-rated  Paragon hospital information system (HIS) at five hospitals, representing over 1,000 beds, throughout the country. Under a unique joint venture model, LHP provides distressed hospitals with the expertise and essential resources they need, including modern information technology, to help them improve their operations and achieve better patient outcomes.  LHP will use Paragon to help its hospitals revamp their clinical and financial processes. With its contemporary design and Microsoft-based platform, Paragon is expected to help LHP streamline its IT operations and provide its patients with better and more efficient care.

“We focus on bringing capital and state-of-the-industry practices to communities that have struggled for capital, for information, for technology and for someone to lean on,” said Larry Schunder, senior vice president and chief information officer, LHP Hospital Group. “Not only is McKesson’s Paragon HIS the best and most cost-effective choice for us, but McKesson’s strategy for helping organizations like ours prepare for health reform is a natural fit with our strategic objectives.”

McKesson is committed to supporting organizations like LHP now and in the future through its Better Health 2020 strategy. As health reform continues to unfold, Better Health 2020 is designed to provide the capabilities needed to reduce costs, improve financial performance, coordinate care and manage complex payment models. The Paragon HIS reinforces the strategy by helping organizations to better manage operations and improve financial and clinical outcomes.

Portneuf Medical Center (250 beds) in Idaho, Saint Mary's Hospital (347 beds) in Connecticut, Seton Medical Center Harker Heights (83 beds) in Texas, and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital WNJ (241 beds) have all implemented the Paragon solution. Pascack Valley Hospital (128 beds) in New Jersey is currently installing the system and is expected to be live by the summer of 2013.

“Like many hospitals, we face ongoing financial and operational challenges, including declining reimbursements,” said Matthew Maxfield, chief executive officer, Seton Medical Center Harker Heights. “By partnering with LHP and implementing the Paragon HIS, we’re already making improvements in the way we operate that will help us protect the health of our hospital so we can continue serving our community into the future.”

Built on an open Microsoft Windows-based platform, Paragon offers a completely integrated suite of advanced clinical and financial applications on a single database. Unlike older, proprietary systems, Paragon requires less hardware and fewer IT resources - making it the most cost-effective HIS to install and operate. LHP is leveraging Paragon to help the hospitals more efficiently manage clinical and revenue operations, driving improvements in performance, patient safety and clinical care.

“LHP’s model represents a unique approach to improving care and empowering communities,” said Jim Pesce, president, Paragon, McKesson Provider Technologies. “This kind of innovative thinking not only is making a difference in LHP’s communities; it also serves as an example of best practices in how to use IT strategically.”

About McKesson Corporation
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 14th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of healthcare run better. We partner with payers, hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson helps its customers improve their financial, operational, and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management, healthcare information technology, and business and clinical services. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.