Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie has announced the release of more than $21.7 million for capital improvement projects (CIPs)—mainly modernizing medical record information systems—that will upgrade and improve state hospital facilities and services.
The funding includes $14.3 million in aid for electronic medical record (EMR) system implementation statewide, which will help acute, long-term care and critical-access hospitals automate clinical and financial processes and comply with the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, and privacy and confidentiality mandates.
“The majority of these CIP funds will go toward modernizing medical record information systems at Hawaii Health Systems Corporation facilities,” Gov. Abercrombie said in a statement. “Funds will also facilitate other improvements and replace outdated equipment statewide, improving access to quality healthcare for the people of Hawaii.”
Another $4.8 million will go to the Maui Memorial Medical Center to fund renovations needed for its imaging, laboratory and oncology departments. Remaining funds will be allotted for new dietary equipment; repairs and renovations to patient rooms, support areas and the hospital’s exterior; and removal of an underground storage tank no longer in use.
