PinnacleHealth System Launches New Technology To Support Patient Safety And Satisfaction

PinnacleHealth launched Soarian Financials, a single computer operating platform, to increase operational efficiencies across the organization. The new operating system will increase integration between finance and scheduling systems that will allow for patient self-scheduling and increased patient satisfaction. Soarian Financials will replace current scheduling and registration systems.

Each patient at PinnacleHealth will have one identification number for inpatient and outpatient care that will follow him or her throughout the System. This identification number will be fully integrated with electronic patient medical records, giving personalized care the backing of a checks and balances system, reducing errors and improving patient safety.

“PinnacleHealth is excited for the implementation of this new platform that will help hospital staff better manage patient data and processes across our system,” states Michael A. Young, president and CEO of PinnacleHealth. “We are giving our employees the right tool to collect complete and accurate data at the time of service. Our goal is to use technology to provide the best possible care for our patients from start to finish.”

Soarian Financials complements other IT infrastructure at PinnacleHealth includingPHS Connect. PHS Connect is an interactive, health–information-sharing website that provides secure access to common test results and other medical records anytime, anywhere. More than 1,100 area physicians have partnered with PinnacleHealth on PHS Connect. In addition, PinnacleHealth has been recognized by numerous independent organizations as a leader in the use of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) technology that improves patient safety, reduces errors, increases efficiency and saves money.

"PinnacleHealth’s IT initiatives are always focused on bringing better healthcare to our community. Technology is a powerful tool in protecting patient information. It has transformed how we see patients and will continue to impact how we deliver care, increasing safety and lowering costs. As a result, patients will continue to have an improved experience throughout the continuum of care and new ways of communicating with their physicians," states Young.

PinnacleHealth System continues to lead the way in information technology, securing a place among America’s "Most Wired" hospitals in 2013 by Hospitals & Health Networks (H&HN) magazine. The nation’s Most Wired hospitals have demonstrated better outcomes in four key areas — infrastructure, business and administrative management, clinical quality and safety, and clinical integration.

About PinnacleHealth System
PinnacleHealth is a pioneer not-for-profit healthcare system dedicated to providing and improving the health and quality of life for the people of Central Pennsylvania since 1873. A proven leader in medical innovation, PinnacleHealth offers a wide range of services from primary care to the most complex surgeries and Magnet recognition for nursing excellence. The healthcare network includes four campuses (Community, West Shore, Harrisburg and Polyclinic) and medical services, including family practice, imaging, outpatient surgery and oncology, at multiple locations throughout the region. For more information, visit www.pinnaclehealth.org.