Technology and Product Spotlight

New Electronic Health Record Designed for Long-Term Care Providers

As more healthcare facilities upgrade to electronic health records (EHRs), Geriatric Practice Management offers an option specifically designed for physicians working exclusively in the long-term care (LTC) environment. The gEHRiMed system was designed by LTC physicians to meet the unique needs of managing, charting, reporting, and billing of LTC patients.

“gEHRiMed is significantly different from other EHRs because it was engineered from the ground up to address the needs of LTC physicians. It intuitively reflects the workflow of providers caring for patients in LTC settings,” said Rod Baird, president of Geriatric Practice Management, in a press statement. Designed to support LTC physicians who work in multiple locations, the system can sync information across facilities and quickly call up information for the patients who are based in a particular facility. The system also has the conveniences of streamlined billing, voice recognition, dictation, macros, and typing, ensuring compliant documentation, and instantly notifying the provider if a patient’s chart is incomplete.

Some LTC facilities may be eligible for a substantial Medicaid incentive for installing the gEHRiMed, as it is a Meaningful Use-Certified product. Facilities that do not qualify for the incentive only pay on a per-use basis until they receive Meaningful Use payments. “Meaningful Use” refers to a recent move by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to make it easier for healthcare providers to adopt EHRs. For more information about the product or to receive a demonstration, visit www.gehrimed.com.

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New iPad App Gives Long-Term Care Facilities Wireless Connection to Pharmacy Services

QS/1, a healthcare automation solutions provider that serves pharmacies, home medical equipment businesses, and long-term care (LTC) facilities, has launched WebConnect, a new application for the iPad that enables LTC facilities to access its PrimeCare Pharmacy Management System via a secure wireless Internet connection. The PrimeCare system provides pharmacies with the ability to customize software parameters to fit each LTC facility’s unique workflow needs, from medication order entry to delivery with barcode checking. Among a variety of functions, it allows staff to comprehensively manage patient accounts and billing, efficiently file claims, generate reports required in institutional pharmacies, access a built-in set of frequently used medical records forms, and search a database of clinical information on medication profiles.

Staff can use the app to securely look up patients and view medication profiles; order new or refill medications online, eliminating the need for fax requests; and access clinical information about potential drug-drug interactions. “This new iPad app offers the same WebConnect functionality with a mobile, easy-to-use touchscreen interface,” said Revonda Spratt, vice president of operations for QS/1, in a press release. “LTC staff can carry this mobile device and work efficiently as they visit patients, rather than going back to a desktop computer.”

The app can be downloaded for free from the Apple iTunes Store. Once downloaded and installed, LTC staff can set up the program with a facility-specific log-in and password. For additional information about QS/1 and the WebConnect app, visit the company Website at www.qs1.com,or call (800) 231-7776. The app can be downloaded for free from the Apple iTunes Store. Once downloaded and installed, LTC staff can set up the program with a facility-specific log-in and password. For additional information about QS/1 and the webConnect app, visit the company Website at www.qsl.com,or call (800) 231-7776.

New Disposable Device Uses Air to Facilitate Lateral Patient Transfer

Safe patient handling has been an area of concern for decades, but as nursing shortages loom, particularly in long-term care, facilities can no longer afford to lose nurses due to musculoskeletal injuries and pain. In addition, injuries sustained by residents during repositioning procedures can be both serious and costly, opening the door to litigation. To support new safe patient handling initiatives that are being enacted across the United States, RecoverCare LLC, a distributor of wound care, bariatric, and safe patient handling equipment to healthcare facilities, introduced the Air Pod Single Patient Use Lateral Air Transfer System.

The Air Pod uses a pump to force air into a perforated mattress, creating a cushion of air that enables one or two caregivers to easily transfer or reposition the patient. The air cushion greatly reduces the amount of force necessary in lateral patient transfer, thereby reducing the risk of caregiver injury and workers’ compensation claims, while also enhancing patient safety, comfort, and dignity during such procedures. Because the AirPod is a disposable product with antimicrobial properties, it also reduces the risk of spreading infectious pathogens.

“With the addition of the Air Pod to RecoverCare’s existing product portfolio, we are addressing the growing demand for disposable transfer systems. The demand in part is the result of Safe Patient Handling legislation and regulations that have already been adopted by 10 states,” said Mary Zappone, RecoverCare President and CEO, in a RecoverCare press release.

The Air Pod is available nationwide. For more information or to order the product, visit www.recovercare.com.