TCH Newsroom
Contact: Andrew Whalen, Communications Director
Office of Representative Heath Shuler
(202) 225-6401
Rep. Shuler Announces Healthcare Technology Grant for Transylvania Hospital
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 28, 2008—Representative Heath Shuler announced today that Transylvania Community Hospital has been awarded a rural health development grant for $540,000 over a three-year period through the Department of Health and Human Services. The grant will be used to further implement the local use of electronic medical records in physician offices.
This local network will allow Transylvania Community Hospital and its physicians to rapidly and securely share patient information and public health data with area physician practices and other members of the WNC Data Link Network. The exchange of patient data through the network is done securely and in real-time.
“By ensuring that all of our hospitals and doctors have access to the most up-to-date, comprehensive patient information possible, they will be able to provide the right treatment options for patients with greater efficiency and fewer errors,” said Rep. Shuler. “Transylvania Community Hospital and the WNC Health Network are leading the way in health technologies, and I am proud to continue working with them to provide the best, most-efficient healthcare available to the people of Western North Carolina.”
Transylvania Community Hospital and its medical staff serve patients in Transylvania County, western Henderson County and a small portion of Jackson County. The grant will help establish an electronic medical records network between area physician offices, Transylvania Community Hospital and other hospitals in Western North Carolina. The network promises to lower patient care costs and improve the speed and accuracy of delivering health care by providing physicians and hospital staff with patients’ complete, real-time medical histories.
“Shared electronic medical records—by providing accurate patient information—will benefit physicians and patients by improving the quality and safety of medical care,” said Bob Bednarek, President and CEO of Transylvania Community Hospital. “At the same time, this electronic network will lower patient-care costs by eliminating medical test duplication and will provide a detailed picture of the health of the overall community. This information will help physicians and leaders better assess the healthcare needs of the community as well as manage chronic diseases and promote healthy lifestyles.”
About Transylvania Community Hospital
Celebrating its 75th year, Transylvania Community Hospital is a nationally ranked 5-Star Hospital and a leading provider of quality healthcare services in Transylvania and surrounding counties. Based in Brevard, N.C., it is a not-for-profit community hospital founded in 1933 and is the largest employer in Transylvania County.