Where high tech meets high touch

Christiana Care Health System has earned the Most Wired designation from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives for the third consecutive year, recognizing health care organizations that demonstrate the best practices through their adoption, implementation and use of information technology.

Christiana Care is the only health care organization in Delaware and one of only 5% of U.S. hospitals to receive this designation.

The recognition is the result of years of strategic planning with a focus on how technology can break down barriers to access and coordinate high-value care.

For example, Christiana Care has introduced Health Records on iPhone, which brings together hospitals, outpatient services and the existing Apple Health app to make it easy for patients to see their available medical records from multiple providers whenever they choose.

“Technology touches every single interaction we have with our patients, and it creates an efficient way for us to connect with our neighbors and deliver the world’s best care, powered by a foundation of technology and empathy,” said Randall Gaboriault, MS, chief information officer and senior vice president of Innovation and Strategic Development at Christiana Care.

Christiana Care’s place on the forefront of IT trends and best practices is the result of both a long-term investment in culture and a reimagining of IT processes, creating an environment in which good ideas can rapidly progress from concept to impact.

“Our clinical and IT teams have developed and persistently iterate a model of shared thinking, shared learning and shared working to deliver projects that expand our capabilities to serve our neighbors in ways we had hardly imagined a few years earlier,” said Lynne McCone, vice president of IT Application Services for Christiana Care.

Christiana Care’s use of transformational technologies to improve patient care includes:

• Video monitoring to help protect hospital patients from falls.
• Telemedicine advancements, including video visits.
• Direct access by patients to the physician notes in their electronic health record, and the ability to contribute to their record through an online patient portal.
• Online express check-in at Christiana Care’s five Medical Aid Units.

Christiana Care’s Patient Portal, already recognized as a secure way for patients to stay informed about their health records, now offers patients a chance to enter their problems, allergies, medications, immunizations and surgical history.

Upon physician review, these data flow directly into their electronic health record. Anyone who’s ever forgotten to mention a health issue to their doctor or nurse can appreciate the value of a convenient way to add to their record, thereby informing their care team.

According to Gaboriault, Christiana Care’s three-time Most Wired achievement is due to a methodical approach that includes investing in infrastructure, long-term strategic planning and a strong partnership among leaders across the organization.

“Bold thinking, disciplined planning and granular execution have allowed Christiana Care to create innovative, effective, affordable systems of care that our neighbors value,” Gaboriault said.