Improves Patient Safety and Care 

Margot Hartmann, MD, PhD President and CEO

Major technological advances continue at Nantucket Cottage Hospital, with implementation of the hospital's new electronic health record (EHR) system.

The move will result in a fully computerized, digital record-keeping system at the hospital, for all aspects of patient care including diagnosis, treatment, medications and follow-up care. Handwritten records will eventually be phased out.
 
Nantucket Cottage Hospital's new EHR system is part of a general move by the hospital to incorporate the latest healthcare technologies, especially those that increase patient safety, and to satisfy a federal mandate for all hospitals in the U.S. to adopt electronic health records. All costs to the hospital for implementing EHRs is reimbursed through monies allocated by the federal Affordable Care Act, and final implementation of the system will bring additional Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. 

Patients will observe the system at work through new portable workstations on wheels and computer terminals installed throughout the hospital in all inpatient rooms. Ergonomic terminals have been put in place near every bed, which allows doctors and nurses to access a patient's records, monitor their progress and make decisions about their care while standing or sitting at a patient's bedside. A wireless scanner at each bedside terminal enables hospital staff to confirm a patient's identity and to accurately administer and record medications.

To read the full press release detailing the implementation of electronic health records at Nantucket Cottage Hospital, please click here.  

David Goodman

Patient Testimonial
David Goodman

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Nantucket Cottage Hospital adopted new security measures for entering and accessing the hospital, in a move designed to make the hospital safer for patients, their families, visitors and staff.

The greatest change involves securing the hospital's Emergency Department. Patients and visitors to the hospital's ER will now be restricted to that area, without direct access to the rest of the hospital. At all times, patients and visitors who are coming only to the ER are asked to enter and exit at the outside entrance door to that area, which is open year-round, 24-hours daily. To learn more about these changes, please click here.  

An Easy Way to Help

Melanie Sabelhaus, Chair, 2012-2013 Boston Pops on Nantucket

Suggested by Melanie Sabelhaus, Chair of the Boston Pops on Nantucket, the island's first ever text-to-give campaign is a fast and easy way to show support for Nantucket's only around-the-clock medical facility. Sabelhaus suggested the NCH text-to-give program based on a similar effort at the American Red Cross, where she serves as vice chairman of the board. Funds raised by the NCH program support general operations of the hospital. 

Text the word HEALTH to 80077 to make a one-time donation of $10.
The $10 donation is added to your cell phone bill.  

 
Why get vaccinated? Influenza ("flu") is a contagious disease. It is caused by the influenza virus, which can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or nasal secretions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu vaccine each year. By getting the flu vaccine you can protect yourself from influenza and may also avoid spreading influenza to others.

Flu shots are available through your primary care physician's office at Nantucket Cottage Hospital. On-island pharmacies also plan to administer flu shots throughout the season.