T-System Provides Complimentary Documentation Templates To Help Emergency Departments Manage National Flu Epidemic

Overwhelmed hospital EDs can quickly capture critical data while meeting regulatory and reimbursement needs

Responding to the heavy influx of flu patients inundating emergency departments (EDs) across the country, T-System, Inc. recently announced offering its T Sheets flu documentation template free of charge to hospitals to help their EDs manage the national flu epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported influenza has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S., with 47 states reporting flu activity for the week ending Jan. 5. EDs experiencing patient overflow can download the free documentation tool.

 The T Sheets paper templates are updated to reflect diagnostic and treatment protocols specific to H3N2, the primary influenza A virus circulating this season. It supports consistent charting and critical patient health information capture while ensuring hospitals meet regulatory and reimbursement needs.

 "With the continued reports of rising flu levels this year, we felt it was critical to offer our assistance," said Sunny Sanyal, T-System chief executive officer. "In handling a public health crisis such as this latest seasonal epidemic, providers involuntarily find themselves lacking a sufficient strategy to keep up with the increased patient volumes. T Sheets offers an easy and structured way to help ED clinicians treat and document the surge of patients both onsite and offsite more efficiently."

 According to news reports, the resulting overflows of patients complaining of flu-like symptoms are flooding EDs across the country. Many are operating at capacity and are setting up secondary EDs in parking lots and hospital hallways, conference rooms and clinics to meet demand and enacting emergency procedures. 

 Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pa., has erected a tent outside its ED to accommodate the increased number of patients with influenza-like symptoms. The facility uses The T SystemEV information system within its network EDs and T Sheets powered by digital pen and paper technology for mobile documentation needs.

 "T Sheets are a great way for hospitals to ramp up quickly when the flu season hits," said Richard MacKenzie, M.D., ED medical director, Lehigh Valley Health Network and co-chair, Emergenuity. "Our physicians and emergency technicians are experienced at using T-System tools to effectively coordinate and process patients - including entire families - faster for optimal and timely access to emergency services."

 Hospitals who use The T SystemEV automatically receive T Sheets as a backup for unexpected health crises and disaster recovery. The company supplies paper template documentation to more than 1,400 hospitals.

About T-System
T-System, Inc. advances the practice of emergency medicine with solutions proven to solve clinical, financial, operational and regulatory challenges for hospitals and urgent care clinics. Approximately 40 percent of the nation's emergency departments leverage T-System solutions to provide an unmatched patient experience. Through gold-standard documentation, revenue cycle management, and performance-enhancing solutions, T-System optimizes care delivery from the front door through discharge and beyond. Today, more than 1,900 facilities rely on T-System solutions. For more information, visit www.tsystem.com.