Healthcare Industry News: Personal Health Record
News Release - November 5, 2008
Rush North Shore Medical Center Granted Approval To Merge with NorthShore University HealthSystem
EVANSTON, IL. - November 5, 2008 --(HSMN NewsFeed)-- The Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board today approved the merger of Skokie-based Rush North Shore Medical Center (RNS) with NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore). This was the final regulatory requirement in the Certificate of Need process.The new name of NorthShore's fourth hospital will be Skokie Hospital. The name was selected based on extensive market research testing and demonstrates our on-going support and commitment to Skokie and its surrounding communities. NorthShore has also committed over $100 million dollars to enhance clinical programs, facilities, and technology of the Skokie Hospital campus. Some of these funds will be used for implementation of a comprehensive electronic medical record system (EMR). NorthShore was one of the first hospital systems in the nation to go completely paperless with its electronic medical record system and has received national recognition for its accomplishments. By 2010, Skokie Hospital will be fully integrated into the advanced system of EMR; providing its patients, caregivers and clinicians with accessible, comprehensive and readable Personal Health Records from anywhere in the NorthShore system and from their own homes.
Due to their close physical proximity, operational synergies between the two organizations will allow improved operational efficiency and contribute to the financial turnaround of RNS. The Evanston Hospital campus of NorthShore is currently operating at or close to capacity. The addition of Skokie Hospital will allow NorthShore to continue to grow and develop clinical programs that are important to all patients and our communities.
"Skokie Hospital will continue to operate as an acute care facility," said Mark Neaman, President and CEO, NorthShore University HealthSystem. "We are excited about the potential for joint clinical program development that combines and builds on the strengths of both RNS and NorthShore."
A new independent foundation will be established by the present board of directors of Rush North Shore Medical Center.
The official merger of Skokie Hospital into NorthShore University HealthSystem will be effective on January 1, 2009.
About NorthShore University HealthSystem
Headquartered in Evanston, Ill., NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) is a comprehensive, fully integrated, healthcare delivery system that serves the greater North Shore and northern Illinois communities. The system includes three Hospitals-Evanston Hospital, Glenbrook Hospital and Highland Park Hospital-and a fourth, Skokie-based Rush North Shore Hospital, to be added in January 2009. In addition, the healthsystem has more than 2,000 affiliated physicians, including a 550-physician, multispecialty physician group practice with over 70 office locations- NorthShore University HealthSystem Medical Group. Further, NorthShore is committed to excellence in its academic mission and supports teaching and research as the principal teaching affiliate of the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine. The NorthShore University HealthSystem Research Institute, with more than $100 million of grants, focuses on clinical and translational research, including leadership in outcomes research and clinical trials. NorthShore has annual revenues of $1.5 billion and a staff of more than 8,000. The healthsystem has significant capabilities in a wide spectrum of clinical programs, including cancer, heart, orthopaedics, high-risk maternity and pediatrics. NorthShore is a national leader in the implementation of innovative technologies, including electronic medical records, (EMR ). In 2003, the healthsystem was among the first in the country to successfully launch a systemwide EMR with demonstrable benefits in quality, safety, efficiency and service to patients. NorthShore has been recognized by multiple national organizations for this notable achievement.
Source: NorthShore University HealthSystem
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