KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Feb. 9, 2006 — The pervasive use of Cerner Corp. solutions throughout the NCH  Healthcare System enterprise yields diverse quality, safety and efficiency benefits.  In the emergency room, nurses bring IT to waiting patients, entering vital signs and other information directly into an electronic medical record (EMR).  On the nursing floor, nurses routinely show patients their own EMRs and complete their documentation online.  In the ICU, access to real-time information speeds patient transfers, streamlining processes and improving continuity of care.

NCH has experienced success through its partnership with Cerner.  The healthcare system has reduced pressure ulcers by 87 percent and heel ulcers by 100 percent.  In addition, it has achieved 100 percent compliance for skin breakdown assessment and fall risk assessments, reduced the admission process by 20 minutes per patient and saved approximately $85,000 annually in the respiratory department.

“Cerner has national clout because the system provides interoperable and seamless functionality.  As a hospital with such a system, we immediately have the respect of colleagues and other hospitals,” said Dr. Allen Weiss, president of NCH.

NCH was named as one of the 2005 Solucient Top 100 Hospitals and HealthGrades recognizes it among the nation’s top five percent for clinical excellence.  NCH teamed with Cerner to implement solutions for electronic medical records, documentation, emergency, laboratory, critical care, surgery, pharmacy, radiology and document imaging. 

“The outcomes NCH Healthcare System has experienced are a testament to how healthcare IT provides clinicians with the tools to improve quality of care  This technology has helped dedicated physicians and nurses to become more operationally efficient, fundamentally improving how care is delivered,” said Trace Devanny, president of Cerner.

NCH Healthcare System is a non-profit, community-based alliance of more than 500 independent physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Collier County and southwest Florida.  NCH offers advanced comprehensive care, embracing new, effective ideas in medical care and healing.  HealthGrades Hospital Report Card ranked NCH Healthcare System among the top five percent of hospitals in the nation for Overall Clinical Excellence.

NCH will exhibit medication administration, emergency department and nursing solutions on Feb. 14 at the annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference being held at the San Diego Convention Center, Feb. 12-16 in booth 2813.

Cerner Corp. is taking the paper chart out of healthcare, eliminating error, variance and waste in the care process. With more than 1,500 clients worldwide, Cerner is the leading supplier of healthcare information technology. The following are trademarks of Cerner: Cerner, Cerner Millennium, Cerner’s logo. NASDAQ: CERN.  www.cerner.com.