Netsmart Technologies Announces Availability of Video Case Studies for Behavioral and Public Health
Case Studies Feature Netsmart Customers Sharing Best Practices, Experiences and Insight for Successful Deployment and Use of Technology
Great River, NY (December 13, 2007) – Netsmart Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise-wide software and services for health and human services organizations, today announced the availability of four video case studies featuring idea sharing and insight from four progressive, successful behavioral and public health organizations. The DVD videos feature ideas for building operational excellence, maximizing the effectiveness and reducing the risk in behavioral health software and public health software implementation, using innovative approaches in clinical care to better serve consumers, and the value of being a member of the Netsmart customer community.
The video case studies include interviews with executive, clinical, financial, management, and information technology leaders from several organizations that are part of the Netsmart customer community, the largest in behavioral and public healthcare. The discussions cover a wide range of topics, including the implementation of electronic health records (EHR), the use of clinical and operational technology and processes, risk reduction, industry trends and challenges, and the emergence of connected care for consumers.
Featured in the case studies are AltaPointe Health Systems, Inc. (formerly Mobile Mental Health) of Mobile, Alabama; the State of Nevada Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services; Verde Valley Guidance Clinic of Cottonwood, Arizona; and the Marion County, Indiana Health Department, which provides public health services to the residents of Indianapolis and surrounding area.
In one video segment, Tuerk Schlesinger, CEO of AltaPointe Health Systems, discusses his agency’s EHR implementation.
“The new electronic health record has really been amazing in terms of being able to share data across our whole organization, from the most outer rural office to an inpatient hospital setting to an outpatient setting.”
In his case study, State of Nevada MHDS Director Dr. Carlos Brandenburg describes how his agency’s integrated, single technology platform enables it to deliver a true EHR for mental health programs, and ultimately, provide a statewide connected system of care.
“Our outpatient clinics are connected to our inpatient facilities,” says Brandenburg. “We can track admission to discharge, we are able to track from treatment to billing, and it’s integrated throughout the entire system.”
The Verde Valley Guidance Clinic faces several challenges common to many community
behavioral health organizations, including unpredictable funding, the need to securely manage consumer healthcare, and a largely rural population requiring delivery of services to sometimes remote areas.
In his DVD interview, Verde Valley CEO Robert Cartia discusses the idea and information sharing relationship between his organization and Netsmart, and how being a part of the Netsmart user community has kept Verde Valley ahead of the curve in planning for future technology needs.
Richard Denhert, Verde Valley community relations coordinator, adds, “The use of wireless and rural service delivery has helped make Verde into a leader; we have chosen to be a part of the process of bringing behavioral healthcare into the new age.”
The delivery of care has also been transformed and continues to evolve at the Marion County, Indiana Health Department. Marion County recognizes the value of interconnected public health software that enables assessment of multiple health issues with individual consumers. Director Dr. Virginia Caine addresses Netsmart’s Connected Care initiative in her DVD discussion.
“The focus on informatics has put us ahead in our community. Having the ability to document data in a connected way to hospital data has been important,” said Caine. “It helps address public health issues in a rapid fashion. Interconnected software allows for improved quality of care while reducing health care costs.”
Dr. Caine also touches on the ever-growing need for disaster preparedness in public health, adding, “Data collection is important to effective outbreak/disaster response. Data sharing with private healthcare providers is key to identifying outbreak trends, and software that enables this interconnectivity is important.”
Source: Netsmart
