Published on January 02, 2025
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital Emergency Department Enhances Communication with New Technology
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital has upgraded its Emergency Department communication system to improve care coordination with Emergency Medical Services teams across the region. The General Devices CarePoint system replaces outdated technology, bringing critical advancements to how patient information is shared and managed.
“Our old system was like a walkie-talkie,” said Rhonda Bergstrom, director of nursing for emergency services. “It couldn’t record calls or let us interact effectively with EMS teams. CarePoint changes that, giving us tools to deliver better care.”
A Better Way to Communicate
The CarePoint system lets emergency teams record and replay EMS calls to ensure no vital details are missed. This feature allows staff to prepare more effectively for incoming patients and tailor education to improve communication with EMS agencies.
“This feature makes such a difference,” Bergstrom said. “If something wasn’t clear on the call, we can replay it. That helps us and the EMS teams work better together.”
Key Features of CarePoint
- EKG Transmission: EMS teams can send EKG results from any type of monitor directly to the hospital. Emergency staff can prepare faster for cardiac patients and securely share results with cardiologists in real time.
- Streamlined Reporting: EMS crews can send text-based reports for certain types of calls, cutting down on phone time and minimizing miscommunication.
- Data Insights: The system tracks patient arrivals, breaking down data by time, type of call, and county. This helps staff adjust education, scheduling and resources.
- Queue Management: The system automatically acknowledges multiple calls and provides EMS with updates, ensuring no one is left waiting for a response.
Immediate Impact
The CarePoint system went live on December 17 after an installation and testing process. According to Bergstrom, the first day was a success. “It worked as expected. Communication is clearer, and we can handle multiple calls at once without confusion or missed messages.”
The Emergency Department receives about 45 ambulance calls daily from 18 counties, along with helicopter arrivals. CarePoint is expected to improve coordination and patient outcomes for these arrivals.
Building a Better System
As Owensboro Health continues using CarePoint, more tools will be added to enhance its capabilities. “This system is a huge step forward for us,” Bergstrom said. “We’ve gone from basic tools to a platform that connects EMS, the ED and specialists in a way that improves care.”
Owensboro Health champions using technology to support its teams and provide the best possible care for its patients. This communication upgrade is the latest example of that dedication.
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.