New Electronic Medical Record for Mackinac Straits

ST. IGNACE – After nearly 13 months of collaboration and preparation, MyMichigan Health will extend its single electronic medical record (EMR) system to Mackinac Straits Health System (MSHS) and its physician offices throughout the Straits area. The new system will enable each patient to have one comprehensive medical record shared across the MSHS-employed providers and facilities who deliver their care. The project will also bring the health system onto the same platform for registration, scheduling and billing.

“We have experienced many benefits with this new system that we are excited to extend to Mackinac Straits,” said Dan Waltz, chief information officer, MyMichigan Health. “It puts consistent, shared information at the fingertips of our patients and providers for safer, more collaborative decision-making. It reduces the time to look up information and complete documentation, which improves provider productivity and satisfaction and lets them spend more time with patients. A single system will be a big improvement for providers and staff to use and will improve the quality of patient care.”

The software, contracted by Epic Systems Corp., a privately owned healthcare software company based in Verona, Wisconsin, will result in faster, more accurate communication and streamlined processes for safer, higher-quality patient care.

“We have titled this project ‘One Person, One Record’ because anywhere the patient goes within our system, a MyMichigan provider will have access to their full medical record,” said Robert Genovese, M.D., chief medical information officer, MyMichigan Health. “Even when patients travel outside of our system to others with Epic software, such as the University of Michigan, the medical record systems will talk to one another, making the exchange of information much easier and safer for the patient. For example, using a feature called ‘CareEverywhere’ we can pull up a patient’s records from other health systems and see what has already been done for them. This not only avoids duplicate testing, but also enables us to start treatment more quickly. ”

In addition to these benefits, the new system will enable patients to do many more things electronically in the future, such as schedule appointments online, self-check-in from home, take advantage of future virtual care options such as telemedicine and e-visits, and view and pay all bills from one account.

“I am proud of how our medical staff and employees have embraced this change while providing quality and personalized care to our patients,” said Karen Cheeseman, president and chief executive officer of MSHS. “EPIC provides the technology to support patient centered care. Our employees’ expertise, talents, and dedication to our patients will make this new level of care a reality.”

Patients will soon be receiving instructions in the mail for how they can prepare for the new system by activating their MSHS account, which they will use to communicate electronically with their providers, view their medical records and manage appointments, payments and prescriptions in the future. The MyChart portal will replace FollowMyHealth with a single electronic interface that patients can use for all of their online transactions and communication with MSHS.

Epic Systems is a privately-held company that makes healthcare software for mid-size and large medical groups, hospitals and integrated healthcare organizations spanning clinical, access and revenue functions. More than half of the U.S. population has medical information stored in Epic software. Clients include the Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins.

With the change to an electronic medical record, the MSHS team reminds its patients of the following:

  • For the safety of the patient, to endure date is correct and entered accurately into the new system, staff may take extra time to confirm existing information at the next visit. This additional time will prevent patients from having to complete repetitive forms in the future.
  • Large screen monitors in exam rooms and inpatient rooms will enable patients to view medical information alongside their provider. This is designed to improve accuracy and dialogue, allowing for patients to better understand their health and take action if necessary.
  • Activation codes will be provided on bills and after visit summaries, making it easier to sign up for an MSHS account. This account gives patients view health information, message their doctor, book appointments, pay bills and more.
  • Providers will have access to the same, consistent information health system wide. It will also be easier for providers to share information with other hospitals and doctors who partner in the patient’s care.

MSHS serves the Straits of Mackinac region with local access to high quality health care. MSHS is based at the St. Ignace Campus which includes a 15-bed Critical Access Hospital that houses a Rural Health Clinic, Oncology Clinic, Outpatient Surgical Center, Tribal Health Clinic, Straits Area Pharmacy, Emergency Room, Fast Care, Physical Therapy and a 48-bed long-term care facility (Evergreen Living Center). Other locations include Bois Blanc Island Medical Center, Mackinaw City Medical Clinic, Mackinaw City Specialty Clinic, Mackinac Island Medical Center, and the Rivertown Medical Clinic in Cheboygan. For more information on these locations and the services available, visit www.mackinacstraitshealth.org. MSHS is affiliated with MyMichigan Health and is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Name The Robot Contest

Congratulations to Hillary Winberg, third grader from Ms. Hannah Bloswick’s class at St. Ignace Elementary. She was chosen as the winning entry to name our new Spinal Surgery Robot, “Hope”. She is pictured above with the robot and members of the Hospital’s surgical staff. Her entry was selected from among 75 entries submitted by third and fourth graders across the region. Hillary received an MSHS prize pack that included a sweatshirt, picnic blanket, McDonald’s gift card and other goodies. Her classroom was also treated to a pizza and ice cream party.

Mackinac Straits Health System and MidMichigan Health Announce Affiliation

ST. IGNACE and MIDLAND, Mich. – Mackinac Straits Health System (MSHS) and MidMichigan Health jointly announced a formal affiliation between the two organizations that will address technology (IT) and Electronic Medical Records (EMR) needs.

Karen Cheeseman, MSHS president and chief executive officer says the organization has identified a critical need for IT infrastructure and an EMR system to better serve patients. “This opportunity to align with MidMichigan and implement the EPIC software system will assist us in meeting our critical needs. We recognize that while we have many strengths, operating successful health systems in today’s environment requires more than we have available to us as a stand-alone health care organization. This affiliation will position us well for the future.”

Steve Autore, MSHS board chairman, says the organization has explored other affiliations in the past. He believes there is strong synergy, shared values and compelling reasons why both organizations should work together. “I feel we are very closely aligned with MidMichigan. For two organizations to work collaboratively requires an alignment with mission, vision and values. They believe in our mission of providing local access and quality healthcare to the families and communities we serve,” said Autore.

MidMichigan Health, headquartered in Midland, Michigan, is a six-hospital health system with Medical Centers located in Alpena, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Midland, Mt. Pleasant and West Branch. MidMichigan Health provides a full continuum of care across a wide array of settings, including urgent care centers, home health, virtual care, as well as medical offices in more than 30 specialties and subspecialties including cardiology, hematology/oncology, orthopedics, vascular surgery, family medicine and more. MidMichigan is affiliated with Michigan Medicine, the academic medical center of University of Michigan.

According to Diane Postler-Slattery, Ph.D., FACHE, president and CEO of MidMichigan Health, “We too would benefit from an affiliation with MSHS. For organizations like ours to continue to be successful we must address size, scale and geographic footprint. We admire Mackinac Straits’ passion for excellence, their standards for service and their integrity. We both want a win-win out of this agreement.”

About MSHS

MSHS includes a 15-bed Critical Access Hospital in St. Ignace which houses a rural health clinic (St. Ignace Medical Clinic), Emergency Room, Fast Care (Walk-in) Clinic, outpatient surgery center, six-chair infusion Oncology Clinic, retail pharmacy (Straits Area Pharmacy), and 48-bed long-term care facility (Evergreen Living Center). The System also includes the Mackinac Straits Health Foundation, Bois Blanc Island Medical Center, Mackinaw City Medical Clinic, Mackinaw City Specialty Clinic, Mackinac Island Medical Center, and the Rivertown Medical Clinic in Cheboygan.

About MidMichigan Health

MidMichigan Health, a non-profit health system headquartered in Midland, Michigan, is a leader in providing award-winning, high-quality care to the 23-county region it serves. With Medical Centers in Alpena, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Midland, Mt. Pleasant and West Branch, MidMichigan Health provides a full continuum of care across a wide array of settings, including urgent care centers, home health, virtual care, as well as medical offices in more than 30 specialties and subspecialties including cardiology, hematology/oncology, orthopedics, vascular surgery, family medicine and more. MidMichigan Health demonstrates its commitment to the future of medicine by partnering with leading institutions to offer medical education programs that train medical students, physicians, nurse practitioner and physician assistant students, nursing students and other clinical experts for our region. Its nearly 8,700 employees, volunteers and health care providers work together to create healthy communities through solutions designed to meet the ever-changing needs of the 940,000 residents in the health system’s service area. In fiscal year 2019, MidMichigan Health provided more than $90 million in community benefits, as well as supported its patients and families with new equipment, services and programs with funds raised by The MidMichigan Health Foundation.

CAPTION: Mackinac Straits Health System (MSHS) and MidMichigan Health jointly announced a formal affiliation between the two organizations that will addressing technology (IT) and Electronic Medical Records (EMR) needs. Pictured during Monday’s signing are (left to right): Diane Postler-Slattery, Ph.D., FACHE, president and CEO, MidMichigan Health, and Karen Cheeseman, president and CEO, MSHS.

Drs. Smith and Harburn Honored!

Two well-known physicians were recently honored after announcing their retirement. Edward Smith, MD and Todd Harburn, DO have played key leadership roles with Mackinac Straits Health System.

Dr. Smith officially retired this summer after more than 33 years of treating patients in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. His career started in St. Ignace working in the hospital’s emergency department and the primary care clinic. He then focused on treating cancer patients as an oncologist, leading the staff in growing the patient base with the new oncology clinic. Dr. Smith helped developed the No Cancer Patient Left Behind Program and the Hooping For A Cure basketball event. He has served as Chief of Staff and on the Hospital Board. In 2018, Dr. Smith received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from Lake Superior State University. Ed and his wife Jill still have their home in St. Ignace and plan to remain involved with the community.

Over his career, Dr. Harburn has treated orthopedic patients across Michigan. Most recently, he was seeing patients in clinic at Mackinaw City and performing outpatient surgical procedures in St. Ignace. Dr. Harburn was instrumental in developing the outpatient surgical services at Mackinac Straits Hospital and also represented the medical staff of the Hospital Board. Todd and his wife Shirley have moved downstate to be closer to family, but still plan to come back north for different events, including the Fort Michilimackinac Pageant over Memorial Weekend each year in Mackinaw City.

Retail Pharmacy

Our retail pharmacy is open seven days a week at Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace! Straits Area Pharmacy is located on the first floor near the Emergency entrance. It is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Weekends & Holidays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The 1,675-square foot pharmacy offers prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and other health-related supplies such as bandages, skin lotions, and more. Four parking spaces have been constructed in front of the pharmacy area next to the sidewalk leading to the exterior pharmacy door. Recent Community Health Needs Assessments identified a need for more retail pharmacy services in the area. For more information, call (906) 643-7298.