Henry Ford Innovations

CarePlus Next Generation—enhancement of Henry Ford’s electronic medical Record. This next generation system will place that data at the fingertips of the clinician through the deployment of one of the largest wireless networks in North American—covering 2.1 million square feet, and by providing caregivers with mobile devices such as pocket PCs, tablets and computers on wheels.

Quality and Safety Innovations

E-Prescribe The electronic technology aimed at reducing medication errors and reducing prescription costs, has reached the milestone of one million prescriptions filled by physicians of the Henry Ford Medical Group. Launched last year, Henry Ford physicians now write more than 23,000 electronic prescriptions weekly. The technology benefits patients who avoid potential complications due to drug interactions and save money by using generics instead of brand name medications.

Rapid Response Team The rapid response team was instituted at Henry Ford Hospital in 2005. In this process, any staff member, regardless of position in the chain of command, can call upon a special team of intensive care nurses to examine a patient at the first sign of decline. Essentially, this is equivalent to bringing the ICU to the bedside of the patient. If the care needs to be escalated, the intensive care unit medical staff is contacted for treatment and review.

Collaborative Rounding The Internal Medicine inpatient units have a daily multidisciplinary collaborative meeting involving the Attending physician, Senior resident, Case Manager, Nursing Staff and Pharmacist. This collaborative effort addresses patient safety issues, such as DVT prophylaxis, minimizing risks of nosocomial infection and enhancing communication between all members of the health care team.