Hays Medical Center (HMC) is using advances in technology to make patient visits more secure, safe and meaningful.  The hospital is using what’s called a Zero Client to remotely access patient data.   Scott Rohleder, Director of Information Technology, told Hays Post that HMC maintains electronic patient records and while it’s nothing new to store patient information electronically, the hospital is taking a unique approach.

All patient information is stored at HMC in a central database.  In the past, data would be saved in one location, and copied to each device that accesses patient records.  This meant that if a person visited three physicians or specialists in one day, a copy of that person’s data could be stored on three different devices.

With the Zero Clients, clinic staff can access the same information remotely, as before, not by copying it.  No data is physically stored on the devices that access patient information.  Also, because it is stored in a central location rather than copied to multiple devices, patient information can be specialized as it’s accessed by each clinic.  Rohleder said this is a huge benefit for physicians.

“[Physician] interaction with the patient can be more meaningful because they’ll have a lot more information at their fingerprints that’s more appropriate because we’re going to tailor it to a specialty.  Like for Cardiology, they’re specifically going to be addressing certain things, and they’re going to have that patient information tailored to them as they pull it up to review.”

Rohleder added that certain patient information that would be required in an emergency situation such as medication lists, allergies, lab results, etc. is also shared with the Kansas Health Information Network (KHIN).  The KHIN allows for critical care data to be readily accessible if a person is away from their primary care facility and needs emergency medical attention.

Gayla Wichman, HMC Director of Marketing, added that though submission of certain data to the KHIN is designed to be helpful in an emergency situation, patients do have the option of limited what is available.

“People have the ability to opt out if they don’t want their personal records shared.  It isn’t like it has to be shared; that is an option.”

Rohleder said that the next step is to gather feedback from clinics (including clinics outside of the hospital) to improve how this technology is being utilized.  He said the ultimate goal is providing physicians with the information they need, when they need it, in order to better serve patients.

Law enforcement authorities in the region have been alerted to a truck reportedly taken from a rural residence in Barton County on Friday morning.

The two-tone, 1989 Ford F 150 has Kansas license 649FYS.

The truck has damage on the left rear quarter panel, red tape on a damaged left rear taillight, an orange pinstripe on the driver and passenger side, and a Broncos sticker under the Ford logo.

The truck was also a carrying 2 fifty gallons drums in back.

If you know about the vehicle or see it contact police.

 

3:49 p.m.  No serious injuries reported in the Friday afternoon crash between a Chevy Impala and a Harley Davidson motorcycle.  Ellis County EMS did not transport anyone for treatment.

 

3:39 p.m.  First responders are on the scene of a reported injury accident at 27th and General Lawton Road in Hays.

A car and motorcycle are involved.  Stay tuned to Eagle Radio and check Hays Post for details as they become available.

The Hays City Commission voted Tuesday, November 26th to change insurance providers for city employees.  Previously, Hays had offered insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS).  Renewing with BCBS would have cost the city 23% more for the same coverage.  According to materials presented at the meeting, the fee increase was a result of increased claims in 2012 and 2013.

Recently, the City of Hays has offered two options for employee health insurance: a high-deductible health plan and a traditional plan.  The high deductible health plan was offered as the no cost option with the City putting money into employees’ Health Savings Accounts.  The traditional plan could be elected by employees, who were charged a buy-up fee.

Faced with the proposed increase (which would have pushed insurance costs over budget) city staff sought bids for insurance coverage and heard back from two providers who had tailored their bids specifically to Hays based on past utilization, number of employees and location: BCBS and Coventry Health Care.

Through Coventry, the city is able to offer the following insurance coverage plan: a $1,500 deductible, $1,000 co-insurance paid at 50/50, and a max out of pocket of $2,500 in their Wesley Preferred PPO network.  This is a decrease of 0.77% from 2013.

All area clinics, doctors and hospitals in the area accept Coventry Health Care as an insurance provider with the exception of three chiropractors.

Mayor Kent Steward brought up a couple items that had been mentioned in the previous week’s work session:

The city will change to Coventry Health Care for next year, which will allow the city to continue to provide free insurance for employees and their families while remaining under budget.