Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, a 254-bed hospital serving the North San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys in California, is revamping its healthcare IT with a $500,000 grant from Verizon.
Hospital officials say the two-year grant, which was awarded by the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, will improve efficiency, increase accuracy of patient records and initiate healthcare outreach for uninsured Californians.
"Verizon's generosity will help take Providence Holy Cross Medical Center into the future," said Arnold R. Schaffer, Providence Health & Services' senior vice president and regional chief executive. "And with our entire nation so focused on healthcare, this gift is a shining illustration of how private enterprise can work with healthcare providers in reaching out to those most in need."
The medical center is using the grant money for an emergency room kiosk, where patients can check themselves in. Hospital officials expect the system will reduce waiting times, increase the accuracy of medical records and alert the staff to the most urgent cases so they are treated immediately.
The grant will also establish an outreach program to help uninsured patients find cost-effective primary health alternatives to emergency room treatment and enable the purchase of new software for computers in the medical center's 142-bed expansion, which is scheduled to open in 2011. Officials say the computer system will enable staff to print identification bracelets at a patient's bedside and help ensure all laboratory orders and tests are matched with the correct patient.
"As our society debates ways to cost-effectively improve the nation's healthcare delivery system, Verizon will help Providence Holy Cross Medical Center to use technology to provide high-quality medical care for San Fernando Valley residents," said Verizon West Region President Tim McCallion.
