JOPLIN, Mo. – Freeman Health System received the 2014 Truven Health Advantage Award for Overall Performance and the Truven Performance Efficiency Award, both of which recognize hospitals, health plans, government agencies and employers that use data analytics to improve quality of services. After competing against organizations from across the world, Freeman was recognized for its use of Truven Health’s Micromedex® 360 Care Insights, a real-time clinical software application that uses multiple data sources to inform staff when a patient meets certain high-risk criteria indicating he or she is in need of a clinical intervention.
Initially, Freeman purchased this system to manage pharmacy interventions specific to patient care risks, such as adverse drug events or switching patients from an IV antibiotic to an oral antibiotic. However, Freeman staff recognized an opportunity to expand the functionality of Truven’s 360 Care Insights by creating a patient-specific surveillance profile to help identify and prevent malnutrition due to an illness or following a surgery, thus placing those patients at risk for complications such as poor wound healing, skin ulcers and gastrointestinal problems.
Previously, Freeman nutrition support pharmacists would identify malnourished patients by examining patients’ medical records. The expanded use of Truven’s product enables that process to occur in real time.
“Through this application, Freeman nutrition support pharmacists are able to more quickly identity patients who are at risk of malnutrition and communicate those concerns to the physicians involved in that patient’s care. This allows us to address the issue of malnutrition prior to the onset of symptoms,” said Scott Goade, Freeman Nutrition Support Pharmacist.
Since expanding its use of Truven’s 360 Care Insights in 2013, Freeman has identified an average of 10 patients per month whose nutritional status was compromised due to not being able to eat or due to an increased need for nutrients. By recognizing these patients quickly and addressing their nutritional needs, Freeman caregivers were able to speed patients’ recovery time.
“Freeman staff take pride in thinking outside the box to identify the most innovative means to care for our patients,” said Paula Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “By discovering this revolutionary way to utilize Truven’s program, Freeman staff have helped improve the care for some of our most vulnerable patients. It truly is an honor to receive such a monumental recognition from a prestigious healthcare partner such as Truven.”
Truven Health Analytics has served the global healthcare industry for more than 30 years by providing tools to manage complex data. Truven Health owns some of the most trusted brands in healthcare, such as Micromedex, ActionO1, 100 Top Hospitals, MarketScan and Advantage Suite.
About Freeman Health System
Locally owned and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System has earned a number of US News & World Report distinctions – Best Hospital in Southwest Missouri, #4 hospital in the state, and High Performing status in seven specialties. The health system includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital, and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. A not-for-profit health system, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, and women’s services and has more than 300 physicians on staff. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo.