Life Care Centers of America corporate headquarters in Cleveland, TN

Life Care Centers of America has won the Gold Award in the McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Awards in the Transitions category.

With the help of vendor eMids Technologies, the large long-term care provider was able to show how electronic health records system SofCare2 allows Transition of Care documents from external providers in CCD, CCR and CCDA formats. SofCare2 helps the user to electronically import medications, allergies and diagnoses from the document into the EHR. Records in an XML format can be either sent on the patient portal, the physician or to the hospital, according to Joy Abraham, the LCCA Vice President of Information Technology.

LCCA won a Silver in the Transitions category in 2013, and boosted its use of the system this year.

“More facility staff are using the system and its various features. CPOE, care plans, structured entry of allergies and immunizations, and progress reports are being used widely,” Abraham said.

Receiving Transition of Care documents helps residents through the ability to provide essential clinical and care information to the receiving care team, he said.

“Without appropriate transfer of data during these transitions, gaps in treatment, deficiencies in care coordination, and poor communication may result. If the document is in one of the industry standard formats, it can be directly incorporated into the EHR without manual entry, which reduces the risk of errors,” Abraham said.

This year’s Silver Award went to BMA Management LTD and the Bronze went to Signature HealthCARE for their work with Caremerge.

BMA Management used Caremerge’s clinical solution to better track falls and incidents, transitions in and out of communities and for critical notes. Staff has been able to work more effectively and generate clear reports, the company said.

Signature HealthCARE used Caremerge to help provide automated scripts, checklists and reminders for consistent care. It’s easy to adjust an individual’s care plan, the company said. 

The award program is administered by McKnight’s and features a nationwide panel of independent judges. The sponsor is Tena.

The winners in each of the Tech Awards’ five categories will be announced in McKnight’s Daily Update this week.

Quality – Monday

Innovator – Tuesday

Transitions – Wednesday

Dignity – Thursday

High Tech/High Touch – Friday