Monida Healthcare Network Receives $900,000 Grant for Rural Hospitals – Money Will Support Health Information Technology in Six Montana Critical Access Hospitals

Monida HealthCare Network, in partnership with six of Montana’s Critical Access hospitals and Community Medical Center, has received $900,000 in grant funds over a three year period from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The grant funds will be used to support and upgrade six Critical Access Hospitals in Western Montana in the implementation of advanced health information technologies. Critical Access Hospitals have limited resources and are crucial to provide essential healthcare services to rural communities

Upgrading and implementing electronic health record and health information exchange can drastically reduce errors and increase patient care. For example, when a physician orders a new medication, the electronic health record will automatically check for drug to drug reactions. Also, when patients are referred to another provider, all test results can also be shared, eliminating the need for duplicative testing.

Because of the rural nature of Montana, our rural hospitals are often the first line of care for many Montanans. The benefits of this grant funded project are numerous including the ability to stay in one’s community for healthcare, decreased costs to the local population and ultimately improved healthcare in the rural communities.

"We are thrilled with the reward of grant dollars for this large project," states Greg Drapes, CEO of Monida Healthcare Network, "these funds will enable us to rapidly bring technical assistance and centralized planning and coordination for six Critical Access Hospitals in our region. We are truly transforming the healthcare system in Western Montana that to date has not seen advanced health information technologies, nor had the ability or resources to implement them."

The six Critical Access Hospitals that will participate in the implementation of improved technologies are Barrett Hospital and Healthcare in Dillon, Mineral Community Hospital and Regional Health Center in Superior, St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan, Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains, Granite County Medical Center in Philipsburg and Powell County Memorial Hospital in Deer Lodge.

About Monida Healthcare Network

Founded in 1996, Monida Healthcare Network is a not-for-profit Physician Hospital Organization (PHO) with headquarters in Missoula, Montana. Monida is a network comprised of six federally designated rural Critical Access Hospitals, Community Medical Center, along with over 450 providers such as physicians, licensed clinical psychologists, physical therapists and nurse practitioners. Monida also has within the network 8 specialty surgery/procedure facilities, and home health agencies and the University of Montana, the Network’s healthcare workforce development partner. Monida provides professional services supporting its members in areas such as educational programs, malpractice insurance, payer contracting, credentialing, peer review and human resources. For more information about Monida Healthcare Network, please visit the website at http://www.monida.com

Contact: Amber Rogers
Ph: 406.829.2380
Email: [email protected]