Many of you may have noticed this new banner in the C.A. Dean lobby and wondered about its purpose . EMHS and their member hospitals have adopted this vision statement and are working towards making this vision a reality. While the goal may sound lofty, C.A. Dean and the other EMHS members are already well on their way. “We already have outstanding employees and physicians, investments in information technology, and a commitment to working together. Our vision encompasses benchmarks for quality care, keeping staff turnover low, and constantly communicating with our communities,” said Michelle Hood, President and CEO for EMHS.

The first step to achieving this vision is establishing and then following nationally recognized best medical practices. One of the ways EMHS members are helping to make this happen is through electronic medical records. Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital will be moving forward with this exciting technology in February, joining many of the other EMHS members who have implemented this technology over the last year. With the electronic medical record, patient information and clinical protocols are more readily accessible by all caregivers, which will make it easier to check for possible drug interactions and other information that could become critical in making the right decision for their patients, no matter where in the EMHS system they might seek care.

This vision also calls for recognition for outstanding patient satisfaction, and providing more services close to home at a reasonable cost for patients. C.A. Dean is pleased to post their patient satisfaction and clinical quality reports on their website (cadean.org). In fact, C.A. Dean was recently awarded a silver award from eHealthcare Leadership for Best Quality Communication through this website. With the recent implementation of ultrasound in November, C.A. Dean has added to its growing list of services that are now available close to home.

From Greenville to Madawaska, EMHS members help ensure their communities have access to the highest quality healthcare and services. With over 7000 employees in the system, employees consult with one another, sharing ideas, experience and expertise, so that together they can deliver better and more efficient care, helping to ensure their goal of being the best rural healthcare system in America by 2012.