Four Maryland long-term care facilities stand to benefit from new technology grants that target medical information.
Specifically, the $517,000 in new funding will help these operators adopt and use health information technology tools that enhance care coordination with hospitals.
The recipients are Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Berlin, Citizens Care and Rehabilitation Center in Havre de Grace, King Farm Presbyterian Retirement Community (Ingleside at
King Farm) in Rockville, and Lions Center for Rehabilitation and Extended Care in Cumberland.
“The adoption of health IT when paired with quality and cost initiatives has the potential to accelerate improvements in healthcare in Maryland,” said Ben Steffen, Executive Director of the Maryland Health Care Commission.
Awardees will use the “Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients” notification service. CRISP delivers real-time alerts to facilities’ physicians and care coordinators when one of their patients has an encounter with a Maryland hospital, such as an admission, discharge or transfer.
“Since nursing homes are not eligible for federal incentives for adopting electronic records, this funding will offer them an opportunity to invest in health IT,” says David Horrocks, president of CRISP.
The grant program allows Maryland providers to seek funding for various IT-related uses — such as buying, licensing and/or implementing an electronic health record system for one or more of their facilities.
Funding also can provide or financial support for other critical clinical information or record keeping systems.
“Through better coordination between hospitals and nursing homes, we will ensure our senior population gets the proper care and treatment they deserve to continue leading healthy lives,” said Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD).
From the July 01, 2013 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
