2009-04-13 15:53:05 -

Greencastle Consulting, a project management and consulting services firm, today announced an agreement with Lehigh Valley Health Network, a major health system in eastern Pennsylvania. Greencastle will develop a customized training process for Lehigh Valley to enhance its current process as it implements electronic medical record (EMR) systems at its ambulatory practices.

“At Lehigh Valley, we’re constantly evaluating and improving our implementation efforts in regards to the rollout of the ambulatory EMR.

This is important as we move toward enterprise-wide ambulatory charting,” said Lori Yackanicz, director of clinical applications and EMR at Lehigh Valley. “We brought in Greencastle to refine our training strategy and processes because we wanted outside objectivity and EMR experience. We already had a relationship with Greencastle based

on a previous engagement – a PMO (project management office) initiative.”

With the objective of maximizing the value of the technology by minimizing disruption and ensuring full user adoption, Greencastle will provide a range of services, including assessment, design, evaluation and refinement of training plans. The resulting methodology will be used during the rollout to remaining practices representing approximately 1,000 total physicians. Lehigh Valley had previously implemented the EMR at 25 practices.

“We’re honored to be partnering with one of the region’s most prestigious healthcare organizations on such a critical project,” said Jacob Kretzing, a senior partner at Greencastle. “The Lehigh Valley team is a very forward-looking, sophisticated group. We expect that this will be a true collaboration that’s mutually beneficial.”

“We’re hoping to remove some of the turmoil involved for our physician practices with the implementation of an electronic medical record,” said Yackanicz. “If we could help our providers avoid having to temporarily drop their patient volumes at go-live, for example, that would be a win-win. So far, we’ve been impressed with Greencastle’s approach, their openness and their understanding of the challenges EMR transitions present.”

During phase one, Greencastle will work with Lehigh Valley trainers to conduct EMR-focused assessments at two or more medical practices. Among other tools, Greencastle will use Web-based surveys to gather anonymous input and recommendations. Coupled with knowledge transfer measures, this effort will establish an objective, repeatable process to guide future assessments.

Based on the vetted results of the assessments, Greencastle will begin the second phase with development of a comprehensive training plan that will enhance the training process during the EMR implementation and identify remedial trainings that need to occur post go-live. This system-wide plan will cover all training topics, delivery methods, times, participants, standards and expected outcomes. At the end-user level, the training plan will be designed to promote confidence that training needs will be met and that the plan will adapt as requirements for the system change.


About Lehigh Valley Health Network

Lehigh Valley Health Network includes three hospital facilities - two in Allentown and one in Bethlehem, Pa.; eight health centers caring for communities in four counties; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices throughout the region; pharmacy, imaging and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred.

Specialty care includes trauma care at the region's busiest, most-experienced trauma center treating adults and children, burn care at the regional Burn Center, kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, and neurology and complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Primary Stroke Center. Lehigh Valley Health Network has been recognized by US News & World Report for 13 consecutive years as one of America's Best Hospitals, is a national Magnet hospital for excellence in nursing, enjoys the highest survival rates in the nation for heart attacks and has been honored seven straight years among the top integrated health networks in the U.S. Additional information is available at www.lvh.org : .


About Greencastle Consulting

Greencastle Consulting delivers change leadership and execution experience for complex healthcare projects, including IT-driven clinical transformation. From readiness assessment through roll out, Greencastle guides organizations in visualizing objectives, generating impact as planned and maximizing the value of investments. Through advanced techniques, process improvement, leveraging human capital, group dynamics and training, Greencastle’s services can multiply the effectiveness of your existing clinical, business and technological resources. Founded in 1997, Greencastle serves healthcare exclusively.
Greencastle consultants apply management methodologies that lead to greater workflow efficiency and ensure the outcomes of technology-based quality initiatives. Learn more at www.GreencastleConsulting.com : .



Dodge CommunicationsDave Anderson, 770-998-0500 x229 danderson@dodgecommunications.com : mailto:danderson@dodgecommunications.com orGreencastle
ConsultingCelwyn Evans, 610-640-9958 x222 evansc@greencastleconsulting.com : mailto:evansc@greencastleconsulting.com