Top Three Flex Activities in 2009

1. Establishing emergency department performance measures around chest pain, AMI, and transfer communications.
2. Electronic health records implementation in three CAH facilities and associated clinics as a demonstration project for open source EHRs.
3. Quality and performance improvement activities.

Flex Program Success Story

The Hawaii Flex Program works with the University of Hawaii on the development and implementation of an open source electronic health record for use by small rural hospitals and clinics. As the project develops, more CAHs show interest in the project and are asking for demonstrations and to be included in future expansions. Another interesting aspect of the project is the inclusion of public health nurses so that the EHR will meet their needs also.

Most Significant Achievement

Establishment of the Hawaii Performance Improvement Collaborative, a performance improvement network that meets regularly to identify and address needs of the Critical Access Hospitals.

Flex Program Details

Location: Hawaii Department of Health
Number of CAHs: 9
Web site: http://hawaii.gov/health/family-child-health/rural-health/index.html

State Rural Health Plan
Rural Assistance Center State Resources