Cerner is conducting EHR optimization to its system to do its part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Following the first reported cases of COVID-19, Cerner updated its EHR platform by expanding its telehealth capabilities, implementing disease screening tools, and updating its EHR dashboards.
On top of that, the EHR vendor has taken additional steps to combat the pandemic by implementing telehealth solutions and waiving licensing fees for the expansion of hospital beds at health systems.
“This is a critical time for our clients who continue to be pushed to unprecedented limits in their heroic efforts to protect the health and safety of organizations, patients they treat and the communities where we live and work,” said Brent Shafer, chairman and CEO of Cerner.
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“At Cerner, we understand our responsibility of providing the infrastructure and support they need to help combat this global pandemic. Now, more than ever, our health care clients are relying on our technology, capacity and flexibility in supporting their frontline work to care for patients.”
Cerner put together a COVID-19 Taskforce to primarily focus on how the company would help its clients and associates tackle this pandemic.
As a part of its EHR optimization, Cerner’s population management clients are now able to access updated dashboards that help track trends and manage patients that have tested positive for coronavirus symptoms.
Cerner will also implement disease screening tools for its Soarian Clinicals clients to help monitor patient populations for the virus.
Just like other EHR vendors, Cerner is offering expanded telehealth capabilities for its users to help lessen the spread of the virus.
The company is utilizing its already existing Cerner Patient Observer (CPO) solution for face-to-face communication between the provider and patient while limiting exposure to the virus.
Along with CPO, Cerner partnered with a population health services company for an around the clock nurse line to help triage patients and direct them to appropriate care.
Another way to limit exposure to health systems is by implementing automated scheduling that allows employees to send voice reminders to patients. This decreases the chances of a sick individual entering the facility at an inopportune time.
In addition to optimizing its EHR system, Cerner is helping its clients by expediting emergency care efforts, such as implementing field hospital support.
Due to overcrowding in hospitals, some are being forced to conduct patient care outside of the hospital, such as in parking lots, closed health facilities, or hotels. Cerner is helping those customers by ensuring a digital infrastructure to those field hospitals. It is key for those clinicians to have access to EHRs and have the ability to triage patients.
The vendor is also waiving fees for its clients that are expanding bed capacity. Prior to the outbreak, there would be a fee for clients that expand their number of hospital beds. But since hospitals across the country are pushing population boundaries, Cerner is working with its clients to waive those fees.
Cerner’s IT support is also providing temporary IT services to hospitals that are experiencing staff shortages or hospitals that lack remote equipment. If a key member of the IT department were to contract the virus, a Cerner representative would be able to assist.
Add Cerner to the list of EHR vendors that are optimizing its EHR system to lessen the spread of the coronavirus.
With the help of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Allscripts is able to make sufficient updates to its software to improve its screening tools.
Allscripts created a plan for users to implement telehealth using its patient portal platform. This plan allows implementation and training to occur within days.
Using this platform, clinicians can reach out to patients to figure out alternative care access, rather than the patient coming into the facility. This can limit the number of cancellations, no-shows, and lessen the number of patients who are in the facility.
Source: EHR Intelligence