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Using Information Technology To Improve COVID-19 Care At New York City Health + Hospitals
R James Salway1, David Silvestri2, Eric K Wei3
1R. James Salway (salwayr@nychhc.org) is director, Emergency Management, Office of Quality and Safety, New York City Health + Hospitals, in New York, New York.
Health Affairs (Project Hope)
|July 17, 2020
Summary
New York City Health + Hospitals leveraged technology and electronic medical records to manage the COVID-19 surge. Innovations improved staff efficiency, patient care, and inter-hospital data sharing during the pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Public Health Technology
- Epidemic Response
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems.
- New York City Health + Hospitals (NYC H+H) faced a surge requiring rapid adaptation.
- A recent transition to a unified electronic medical record (EMR) system provided a foundation for technological solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the implementation of technological solutions within NYC H+H during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To highlight innovations aimed at improving staff efficiency and patient care.
- To demonstrate how technology facilitated crisis response and inter-system collaboration.
Main Methods:
- Rapid implementation of technological tools leveraging the unified EMR system.
- Introduction of "SmartNotes" and enhanced vital sign monitoring for staff efficiency.
- Development of enterprisewide dashboards for bed availability and patient transfers.
- Use of tablets to connect patients with families.
- Standardization of patient workup with specialty-specific order sets.
Main Results:
- Improved staff efficiency through streamlined processes and technology adoption.
- Enhanced patient experience by facilitating communication with loved ones.
- Facilitated data sharing and patient transfers between hospitals across NYC.
- Demonstrated successful adaptation to a public health crisis using information technology.
Conclusions:
- Rapid expansion of information technology was crucial for NYC H+H's COVID-19 response.
- Technological integration improved operational capacity and patient care during the surge.
- The implemented solutions position NYC H+H for more integrated healthcare operations in the future.