Healthcare Ordering System Eliminates Errors, Reduces Injuries

MCG Health, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that manages the adult hospital, children's hospital, ambulatory care center, and a specialized care center for MCG Health System. Recently, a resident rushing to the lab to submit an order for a test fell down the stairs and had to be hospitalized. MCG Health took this as an opportunity to improve the efficiency of its service order process. Service orders, such as those for lab tests, medications, or X-rays, were conveyed via fax machines, pneumatic tubes, and personal deliveries. Also, there was no organized way to track orders, and staff time was consumed placing and following up on thousands of orders.

Electronic Ordering System Eliminates Communication Chaos
MCG Health developed an electronic ordering system called OrderComm. The system allows all service orders to be scanned and sent electronically via the hospital's computer network to the appropriate departments. To make the solution work, MCG Health needed a scanner that could interface with its custom application. After evaluating several alternatives, the healthcare provider chose Brother's MFC-8840D, a multifunction machine that combines the capabilities of a scanner, printer, copier, and fax machine.

With the electronic ordering system in place, nurses place order forms in the MFC-8840D document feeder and, with one mouse click, the order is scanned and sent to one or multiple departments for processing. For example, if a nurse places an order for medication, it appears in a queue on the pharmacist's screen, and if labeled "urgent," the order automatically moves to the top of the pharmacist's queue and is filled first.

Since each order is labeled with a unique number, nurses can get order statuses at any time from their computers. Also, if a pharmacist receives an incomplete order, an alarm rings on the nurse's PC, letting the nurse know further information is needed.

With the new order entry solution, there are no lost papers, no misplaced faxes, and no calls needed to determine order status. And, fewer interruptions means the medical staff work more efficiently … and safely.