OMC launches State-of-the-Art Computer System

On Monday, Oconee Medical Center goes live on a state-of-the-art hospital information system called Paragon® that will enhance quality, safety and efficiency through the seamless sharing of information. The hospital started the final steps necessary to bring the system live at 5pm on Thursday, March 28. At that time, previous information systems were disconnected and most processes returned to paper. Staff will spend the weekend transferring historical information to Paragon, which goes live at 7am on Monday, April 1. “When Paragon goes live, it will represent another huge step forward for our organization and the patients we serve,” said Jeanne Ward, president and CEO of Oconee Medical Center. “It is just as important as the opening of our new patient tower in June 2009.” By utilizing a single record for every patient, regardless of which department delivers care, Paragon streamlines the entire patient care process from admission to discharge. It also created a single historical record for each patient that can be accessed upon each subsequent visit to the hospital. Much of the cost of the Paragon system would be reimbursed through federal stimulus funding approved designed to encourage hospitals to implement electronic medical records. Paragon is an industry-leading hospital information system developed by McKesson, America’s oldest and largest healthcare services company. McKesson’s goal is to help medical providers coordinate care, improve quality and performance and to better use technology as they deliver care to millions of patients every day.