Southwest Health Center

Our Projects

Platteville, WI – One of the Southwest Health Center Foundation’s major goals this year has been raising funds to be used for the purchase of Electronic Medical Records (EMR). Southwest Health Center took a significant step forward with a staff and physician product demonstration last Thursday. The session was conducted by the software vendor, Dairyland Healthcare Solutions, one of the leading software vendors for critical access hospitals.
 
The windows-based electronic medical record offers many unique features and allows medical staff to place orders electronically and integrate transcribed documents. It will serve as the central repository of patient information which will ultimately reduce paperwork, streamline processes, and improve communication and quality of care.
 
Steve Dittmer, Southwest Health Center’s Information Technology Manager, has been instrumental in researching and purchasing the computers and related software. “This move will enhance our ability to provide excellent patient care along with ensuring patient safety. Our future plans for the electronic medical record will continue to evolve and improve as new technology becomes available,” says Dittmer.
 
The Foundation has sponsored several fundraisers this year. Funds raised from the Foundation’s first annual Golf Jamboree, and Strawberry Festival will be dedicated to the purchase of this EMR equipment. Proceeds from the recent 17th Annual Love Lights program will also be directed toward the EMR project. The Love Lights program offers a special way for people to remember loved ones during the  holiday season. Holiday trees were lit up throughout the season at both the Southwest Health Center in Platteville and the Southwest Health Center Nursing Home in Cuba City. 
 
To make a tax-deductible contribution to the Foundation, contact Gwen Kirchhof, Foundation Director, at 348-2331 or kirchhofg@southwesthealth.org
 
 Platteville, WI – Kurt Opgenorth, Southwest Health Center’s Emergency Department Supervisor is pictured with the newly-purchased GE Capnographer. The instrument provides a non-invasive method of determining how much carbon dioxide is being eliminated from the lungs and is especially helpful in assessing proper lung function. The Capnographer was purchased with monies raised at this past summer’s Strawberry Festival, a major fund-raising event for Southwest Health Center’s Foundation. Pictured with Kurt is Kathy Neumeister, SHC’s Communications Coordinator who also serves on the hospital’s Foundation Board.
 
 
Gary Andrews, Southwest Health Center’s Laboratory Department Manager is pictured (on the right) with the hospital’s newly-installed Dade Behring Chemistry Analyzer. The new analyzer enables Southwest Health Care lab staff to conduct up to 91 different laboratory tests thereby providing fast and accurate diagnoses to doctors and patients. The Dimension RxL Max has hardware and software enhancements to improve patient testing. The analyzer was purchased with monies raised by Southwest Health Center’s Foundation. Pictured with Gary is Richard Schumacher, a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.