Anne Lara, CIO, Union Hospital of Cecil County, Chapter 3

Call it history repeating itself. In the fall of 2013, Anne Lara and her team were knee-deep in plans to become one of just two organizations (at the same) to migrate to Meditech 6.1. A year and a half later, Union Hospital of Cecil County is at it again, paving the way by going live with Meditech’s scribe functionality. In this interview, Lara talks about what it takes to be an early adopter, the biggest hurdles with attesting to stage 2, how her team is partnering with DataMotion to enable direct messaging, and the complexity of HIE when you closely border two states. She also discusses the culture change needed to increase patient engagement, her key concerns as CIO, and why she feels “very positive” about where the industry is headed.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3



* Big concern: infrastructure

* “I need to make sure my data is backed up and available.”

* Securing wireless devices

* Recognizing IT’s “unsung heroes”

* Creating opportunities for staff to “shine and grow”

* MU: “It’s taking the industry to a place it wouldn’t have gone.”

* Population health & “Comparing apples to apples”



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Bold Statements

We need to make sure those things that are patient care-critical are always operational from a wireless perspective. So we’re always looking at ways to improve, enhance, and make sure that we’re prepared for what’s coming next.

HIM and HIS departments are kind of the wind beneath everybody’s feet. You don’t necessarily know that they’re there unless something goes wrong.

I feel very positive about Meaningful Use. I know it’s sometimes challenging and time consuming to try to figure out how to meet the requirements, but I think it’s taking the industry to a place it wouldn’t have gone

It’s proof that sending that information from one EMR to another one works. So now we have to make that even more meaningful in terms of how can you consume that information; how can you present that data in such a way that it’s meaningful to the individuals that are looking at it.

Gamble:  That’s a really interesting initiative. It’s one of those things where you have to lay the groundwork and go from there. But you’re talking about changing the culture, changing the way patients relate with clinicians. To me that’s an approach that really makes sense like, okay, we’re going to start here.

Lara:  And build on it.

Gamble:  That’s great. It’s very exciting.

Lara:  We’re really excited, and it’s been a great partnership with our case management group. They’re really excited. They’ve embraced the concept too, and again, the feedback that we get has been positive. We actually have a weekly call with Vivify just to make sure we’re doing what we need to do. If there’s any problems or questions, the folks at Vivify are there to help us with that too, so it’s a great partnership. The industry is so replete with all sorts of folks to work with. I’ve met a lot of really good folks in the industry that are all trying to do the same thing in our own little way. Vivify through their technology, AT&T through their data use plan, DataMotion through their secure messaging, CRISP, etc. It’s a great time to be in healthcare.

Gamble:  Definitely. Did we touch on most of what you’re focused on for the next year or so? I know there’s so much going on.

Lara:  I think so.