Sixteen rural hospitals in South Dakota will receive a total of $244,376 in grants for technology projects from laboratory electronic medical records to a medication labeling and bar code system.
"From electronic medical records to telemedicine capabilities, technology is increasingly important in delivering healthcare in both urban and rural settings," said South Dakota Secretary of Health Doneen Hollingsworth, "However, it can be challenging for rural hospitals with limited resources to keep up with these rapid changes. That's why we're pleased to provide these grants to help support technology projects in rural facilities."
The grant funding comes to the department through the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program. Including the most recent grants, South Dakota has awarded $3,370,303 to rural hospitals through the program over the last nine years.
To be eligible, hospitals must have received a Medicare certification as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH). Hospitals certified as CAHs receive a higher Medicare reimbursement rate and are eligible for grant funding for projects to enhance information systems and increase staff training and education. South Dakota currently has 38 critical access hospitals, the highest per capita in the nation.
Sustaining essential healthcare services in rural areas is a key objective of the department's Health 2010 Initiative.
For a list of the hospitals, their grant awards and projects, click the next page.
Hospitals receiving grants in 2009 include:
- Britton - Marshall County Memorial Hospital ($20,000) - develop an electronic medical record system in the laboratory/microbiology department.
- Canton - Sanford Hospital Canton-Inwood ($10,800) - develop an electrocardiogram (EKG) system that links with its electronic medical record system.
- Chamberlain - Sanford Mid-Dakota Medical Center ($20,000) - install a nurse call system that allows patients communicate directly with staff.
- Deadwood - Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital ($6,822) - provide ultra-sound training for a radiology technician.
- DeSemt - Avera DeSmet Memorial Hospital ($12,000) - participate in the Avera ePharmacy Project.
- Flandreau - Avera Flandreau Medical Center ($20,000) - develop a medication dispensing system in the emergency department.
- Huron - Huron Regional Medical Center ($20,000) - develop an electronic medical record interface system that allows the hospital to receive records from local providers.
- Martin - Bennett County Hospital ($10,090) - purchase a powered ambulance cart that provides greater safety to staff and patients.
- Mobridge - Mobridge Regional Hospital ($23,606) - develop a medication labeling/bar-coding system.
- Parkston - Avera St. Benedict Health Center ($15,000) - develop a real-time blood pressure monitor system that links to the electronic medical record system.
- Platte - Platte Health Center ($20,000) - incorporate a mobile point-of-care computer system into the electronic medical records system.
- Redfield - Redfield Community Memorial Hospital ($15,000) - incorporate a mobile point-of-care computer system into the electronic medical records system.
- Scotland - Landmann-Jungman Memorial Hospital ($12,540) -purchase a hematology system with bar-coding and electronic medical record interface capabilities.
- Sturgis - Sturgis Regional Hospital ($10,218) - develop a wireless communication system for medical staff.
- Webster - Sanford Hospital Webster ($10,800) - develop an electrocardiogram (EKG) system that links with the electronic medical record system.
- Wessington Springs - Avera Weskota Hospital ($17,500) - participate in the Avera eEmergency Project.