Transforming Healthcare Quality through Health IT (2004-2010)

Sustainability, Partnerships, and Teamwork in Health IT Implementation: Essential Findings From the Transforming Healthcare Quality Through IT Grants [View the full report (PDF, 6.12 MB)] 

This report synthesizes findings across several sources, focusing specifically on sustainability, partnerships, and effective teamwork—which were recognized by THQIT grantees as critical aspects of successful health IT implementation. The goal is to provide relevant information to those currently working toward health IT implementation.

 

Appendix B: Getting Ready - A Planning Checklist for Rural and Community Hospitals Considering Implementing Health IT (PDF, 2.14 MB) 

This checklist is designed to help rural and/or community-based hospitals assess their level of preparation for health IT implementation.

 

 

Appendix C: Success Story - Partners Use Electronic Health Records to Steer Quality Improvement (PDF, 2.03 MB)

This case story describes how an EHR with evidence-based decision support technology and an electronic data warehouse for tracking quality of care was implemented by 32 community health centers across 11 States.

• "E-prescribing and Reducing Medication Costs," featuring Dr. Joel Weissman (http://www.healthcare411.ahrq.gov/radiocastseg.aspx?id=1174&type=seg)
• "Preventing Bed Sores," featuring Dr. Susan Horn (http://www.healthcare411.ahrq.gov/radiocastseg.aspx?id=1183&type=seg)
• "Keeping Kids in School Via Telemedicine," featuring Kenneth McConnochie (http://www.healthcare411.ahrq.gov/radiocastseg.aspx?id=1179&type=seg)  

Emergency Medical Service Responders Use Health IT to Improve Cardiac Care (PDF, 110.54 KB)
Principal Investigator: Harry P. Selker (Grant No. UC1 HS015124)
Emergency Medical Service agencies use a Web-based quality reporting system and clinical decision support technology to improve the timeliness and quality of care provided to patients experiencing or at risk of a heart attack.

Nursing Home Health IT Reduces Pressure Ulcers and Increases Staff’s Job Satisfaction (PDF, 144.42 KB)
Principal Investigator: Susan D. Horn (Grant No. UC1 HS015350)
Nursing homes bring health IT into long-term care to improve quality and provide guidance on translating health IT implementation lessons to new settings.

Project ECHO: Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes Through Telemedicine (PDF, 176.64 KB)
Principal Investigator: Sanjeev Arora (Grant No. UC1 HS015135)
Through telemedicine clinics, Project ECHO provided new access to high-quality local care for rural New Mexico residents with hepatitis C. Building on this experience, the project has also initiated telemedicine clinics for other complex conditions.

Network of Rural Hospitals in Iowa Redesign Patient Care Workflow to Use Electronic Health Records (PDF, 114.44 KB)
Principal Investigator: Donald K. Crandall (Grant No. UC1 HS015196)
A rural referral center implemented an EHR system and simultaneously redesigned many aspects of care delivery, improving patient safety and producing a host of new knowledge and tools for more effective EHR implementation.

Public-Private Partnership Creates Web-Based System to Improve Rural Children’s Access to Health Care Through a Medical Home (PDF, 117.50 KB)
Principal Investigator: Gregory W. Bergner (Grant Nos. UC1 HS016129 and P20 HS014908)
A Web-based application that enables community health workers to ensure that patients obtain needed access to health coverage and primary care.

Replication of Health Information Exchange Framework Across Oklahoma (PDF, 96.95 KB)
Principal Investigator: Mark H. Jones (Grant Nos. UC1 HS016131 and P20 HS015364)
Using a "network of networks" model in Oklahoma makes a statewide health information exchange possible.

Electronic Prescribing: Lowering Patients' Prescription Drug Costs (PDF, 106.23 KB)
Principal Investigator: Joel S. Weissman (Grant No. R01 HS015175)
Providing prescribers with real-time information on the relative costs of drugs can significantly increase the use of lower cost medications.

Integrated Telemedicine System Demonstrates Reduction in Children’s Emergency Department Visits (PDF, 115.97 KB)
Principal Investigator: Kenneth M. McConnochie (Grant No. R01 HS015165)
A telemedicine system to connect schools and child care centers to primary care physicians for telehealth consultation is expanded, resulting in reduced use of emergency departments.