Physician Handbook

The Information Technology department at Mercy Health System of Maine (Mercy) administers a large number of systems to support our mission and to improve patient outcomes.  At the same time, we adhere to the highest standards of confidentiality and security in order to ensure the integrity of our data and our patients.

Meditech

Meditech is our core Health Information System.  The Meditech system enables members of the care team to have real-time access to patient data, medical orders, and test results.  Automating these clinical processes and getting the information into the hands of clinicians has reduced the hunt for the paper medical record, putting us closer to our goal of a complete electronic medical record and has improved both the quality and safety of patient care.  Currently, some of the functional areas online with Meditech include the laboratory, the pharmacy, scheduling, radiology, nursing and the emergency department.  In the future, we will use Meditech functionality for providers so that they may access a customized desktop portal or “dashboard” to view their patients’ results, manage their orders, document treatment, and electronically sign documents.

Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)

GE’s Centricity PACS product provides our physicians with an easy to use system to access radiology images and exam information from any computer.  Implemented in July of 2004, Mercy’s PACS system contains X-Rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs, nuclear medicine studies and interventional radiology studies.  Mammography studies will be available online when we move to our new Fore River Site.

ZixMail

Mercy Hospital uses ZixMail® to provide encrypted e-mail messaging for secure communication of patient data.  ZixMail® is a desktop-level solution that provides point-to-point secure email delivery.  It’s a simple, easy-to-use e-messaging solution that enables you to encrypt, decrypt, and send private and secure, digitally signed email and attachments to anyone even if the recipient is not a ZixMail® subscriber.  Contact our provider liaison for more information.

Remote Access

While we currently offer remote access to PACS, we are also engaged in a pilot program for remote access to many more of our clinical and non-clinical systems, with an estimated implementation in 2006.

Provider Portal Page

In line with our remote access initiative, we are building a portal page from the Mercy web site (www.mercyhospital.org). This portal will provide quick and convenient access to numerous provider resources.

About Us

IT Help Desk

We offer 24/7 support 365 days a year via the IT Help Desk.  If you need access or simply have a question, call (207) 897-3475.  In addition, we offer training on all of our clinical systems.  For information on training, contact our provider liaison, Christine Mallar, at (207) 879-3980.

Provider Liaison

In March of 2005, IT introduced a new position as a resource specifically for Mercy providers.  The intent is to provide a point of contact for Mercy providers on staff and to act as a liaison between providers and the Mercy IT department.  The provider liaison answers questions and addresses issues that are specific to medical staff such as physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.