HarmonyCares CIO Kristin Darby has spearheaded the use of Salesforce Health Cloud to create a streamlined information culture for in-home patient care. Operating across 14 states, HarmonyCares focuses on patients with complex needs, integrating essential services like radiology directly into patient homes. The Health Cloud platform offers a comprehensive Patient 360-degree view, centralizing data previously siloed, thereby improving care coordination and reducing the administrative burden on staff. Automation, including robotic process automation (RPA), has enhanced efficiencies, increased productivity, and empowered patients with self-scheduling capabilities. Darby's efforts aim to blend personalized care with technological advancements, ensuring better health outcomes and a higher quality of patient experience.

HarmonyCares CIO Kristin Darby - integrating patient data to bring back personalized care diginomica

Our organization decided to self-develop our IT system, Harmony, transitioning from the previous EHR vendor Web-HIS to eliminate paper documentation and enhance order entry processes. This initiative was driven by the vision of our CEO to have an in-house, user-friendly system crafted with significant input from frontline nursing staff. The development process took over two years, starting in the emergency department and rolling out across inpatient areas within six months, despite some initial challenges. Our approach allowed quick and constant updates, fostering a collaborative environment where frontline feedback was continuously incorporated. Key lessons learned include the importance of involving frontline workers from the outset and maintaining interdisciplinary collaboration. The experience highlights the value of listening to frontline staff, particularly nurses, to enhance efficiency and patient safety amidst broader industry challenges like the nursing shortage.

Holy Name’s Go-It-Alone EHR Strategy: Why It’s Worked hcinnovationgroup.com

**Cybersecurity Event Update**

Ascension is making steady progress in restoring and recovering from a recent ransomware attack, working closely with forensic experts from Mandiant and cybersecurity teams from Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 and CYPFER. Efforts are ongoing to safely and quickly bring systems back online and reconnect with vendors. Updates are regularly provided on their website and regional pages. Despite the disruption, Ascension remains committed to delivering quality patient care. Visitors are encouraged to check the website for the latest information on operational and recovery status. Thank you to patients and the community for their support during this challenging period.

Cybersecurity Event Update publication

Jefferson and Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) have signed a definitive agreement to combine, forming a leading integrated academic health care system, research university, and not-for-profit health plan. Slated to be one of the Top 15 not-for-profit health systems in the U.S., the unified entity aims to enhance access to affordable care, improve clinical research, and expand health plan offerings in Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. The merger, expected to finalize later this summer, will integrate 30 hospitals and over 700 care sites, supported by more than 65,000 employees and foster new educational and clinical opportunities while addressing health inequities.

Jefferson, Lehigh Valley Health Network sign a definitive agreement to combine publication