AnnualReport2021

Medical informatics also focused on improving education and workflow within our EHR by focusing on existing functionality. Working closely with the clinical transformation specialists at our health care facilities, we have created libraries of “AutoText” to help providers quickly document elements in the chart, as well as phrases they need for patient care or regulatory requirements. These span the gamut from attestation statements for residents, documenting a psychological technique to explain a medical procedure, to pulling the diagnosis/lab result, etc. from the chart into the note. Finally, medical informatics has focused on building a library of information to help medical staff, and those who support medical staff, better utilize our EHR. Training does not end after the initial onboarding. Working closely with our clinical transformation specialist, we have created an education library based on requests or issues experienced by our medical staff. This ensures that we can quickly send the medical staff education as needed, or have the proper knowledge to demonstrate functionality to the medical staff, and help them improve their workflow. All of these new elements help our staff provide excellent care, supporting Shriners Hospitals’ goal of improving the lives of children. REACHING MORE KIDS IN MORE PLACES Shriners Hospitals for Children is determined to offer its unique, patient- centered care to as many children as possible, regardless of where they live. Because of the expertise of our providers and enhanced technology capabilities, we can deliver quality care to our patients, wherever they may be. Every crisis has a silver lining – even the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic grew, and states issued stay-at-home directives and other mandates to try to stop the spread, and keep people safe, the resulting closing of clinics and the imposition of travel restrictions made telehealth more important. Because of the need created by the pandemic, the government relaxed some of

have been very receptive to the new telehealth program and its goals for future growth, and overall patient satisfaction has been very high. Currently, our active reach is North America, with active programs in the U.S., Canada and Mexico; Cyprus; Central America and the Pacific Rim. We are currently expanding to many other countries. This new platform will allow the telehealth reach to be global. The ability to see patients via multiple technology devices literally opens up the world – we truly can reach patients where they live, regardless of where that might be.

the complex regulations regarding licenses, equipment, providers, patients and more, which facilitated Shriners Hospitals for Children’s ability to quickly implement the new telehealth effort. Physicians and other clinical staff could now conduct a clinical visit while seeing patients in their homes, via their cell phone, computer or tablet. From March 23, 2020 to the end of the year, we had 64,072 telehealth patient encounters. Our goal is to build on this foundation and implement a comprehensive telehealth plan that will attract more patients, families and providers. We have implemented a new, more secure and focused clinical software program that will be easier for patients and providers to use. In addition, we are reviewing the performance of our affiliate sites. We will seek to have sites where there is demonstrated potential for patient volumes and providers. Our physicians

2020-2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

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