January 9, 2008 - OhioHealth opened the doors of Dublin Methodist Hospital this morning, which boasts an innovative, patient-centered design, state-of-the-art technology, and a near-paperless environment making it the first in Ohio and one of the first in the country to do so.
“This is a truly different hospital,” said Cheryl Herbert, RN, president of Dublin Methodist Hospital. “The internal and external environments have been designed to break down the fear and intimidation of a hospital visit by using a less institutional feel. The layout makes sense so visitors and patients feel like everything is in the right place without feeling impersonal. And the technology for clinical applications, communications and administrative activities is second to none. We are thrilled about how well the people-friendly design and the most advanced technology available have come together here in Dublin.”
“This is not just a few extra products to reduce paperwork, but a full digital infrastructure,” said Mrunal Shah, M.D., vice president of physician services for Dublin Methodist Hospital. “The most important part is that everything is clinically integrated so we can easily find the information we need. The connectivity allows doctors to treat patients in the hospital, in their office or at home, and allows the clinician to spend more time with the patient.”
Dublin Methodist uses all electronic medical records that allow clinicians to chart patient information at the bedside and check to see what was done on the previous shift.
Other innovations include a Vocera wireless hands-free communication devices; ePrescibing, connects with eICU telemedicine services; surgical management system to automate operating room processes; RelayHealth network, an electronic system for processing patient bills and insurance claims;
online access for healthcare staff to patient information when and where it is needed at the point of care; and a computerized physician order entry system supports doctors as they make decisions and place patient orders.
The hospital is also using bar-code scanning technology, which allows nurses to scan patients’ arm bracelet IDs so bar-coded medications can be scanned and compared, ensuring they get the right dose of the right medication, at the right time.
“Dublin Methodist Hospital is the future of healthcare happening right in front of us,” said Thomas Harmon, M.D., medical staff president for Dublin Methodist Hospital. “The design and technology are focused on improving patient care at every level. This is not technology for technology's sake - it is making us better doctors.”
Dublin Methodist is one of 53 members of the Pebble Project, a joint research effort between The Center for Health Design, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization, and forward-thinking healthcare providers. The purpose of their work is to improve the quality of patient care, the quality of work life, the financial efficiency of an institution and to improve patient outcomes through evidence-based design and research.
For more information: www.ohiohealth.com/Flash/Dublin_Tour/index.html
July 25, 2024 
