Research and Projects: AHRQ THQIT and SRD Portfolio

Maine

Midcoast Maine Patient Safety With IT Integration

Description:  Develops new systems and a high level of integration and cooperation in four significant areas: medication management, patient discharge, high-level integration of information, and the development of a new paradigm for evaluating, selecting, and implementing new technologies.

Abstract:  DESCRIPTION (provided by the applicant): The Midcoast Maine Patient Safety and IT Integration Initiative will develop new systems in a number of critical areas of operation for the partner organizations and will institute a high level of integration and cooperation among the partner organizations in four significant areas. These areas are medication management, patient discharge, high-level integration of information among the partner organizations, and the development of a new paradigm for evaluating, selecting, and implementing new technologies. Specifically, the THQIT planning will lead to a reduction in the acute care readmission rate; a decrease in the length of stay; a reduction in adverse events and medication errors; an increased implementation of evidence based practice; increased patient medication compliance; and monitoring the continuum of care. The research design will be implemented through the direction of Maureen Buckley, Ph.D., R.N. in partnership with a series of consultants. The design includes a strategic review of the organizations' direction; assessment of the current environment; process mapping of clinical and information pathways; a technology readiness assessment; organizational development and change analysis; development of a technology implementation plan; an organizational change design plan; design of an institutional planning, prioritization, and evaluation process; and the THQIT planning evaluation.

Year 1 Funding:  $200,000

Estimated Total Funding:  $200,000

Principal Investigator:  Maureen Buckley

Applicant Institution:  Northeast Health Foundation

City/Town:  Rockland, Maine

State:  Maine

Grant Number:  P20 HS15170

Category:  Planning Grants (THQIT)

Thesaurus Terms:  biomedical automation, health care facility information system, health care service planning, patient safety /medical error, computer assisted patient care, computer network, hospital utilization, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient care management, regional medical planning, health services research tag

Project Start Date:  Sep 30, 2004

Project End Date:  Sep 29, 2005