Press Release

Poinsettia Ball Supports Electronic Medical Record Project

November 26, 2009 HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU!

Proceeds for the Poinsettia Ball this year will help Burgess Health Center fund an improved Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system in the hospital and all new EMR in physician clinics in Sloan, Dunlap, Whiting and Onawa.

All patient care areas, the Family Medicine Clinic, Garred Clinic, Burgess Family Clinic Sloan and Burgess Family Clinic Dunlap will be connected to the same system and have immediate access to all updated patient data and medical histories at all hours of the day – a first for Burgess, according to Fran Tramp, president.

The project is important, he says, because it will assure better patient safety, support continuity of care 24 hours a day, provide patient education on chronic diseases andposition Burgess for better government reimbursement.

The new EMR system calls for new laptops, new computer servers, hardware and software installation and extensive training, says Kim Norby, chief information officer at Burgess. The connected clinics will share in expenses, and the new EMR system should be up by Sept. 1

Guests and donors to last year's ball are learning their support paid off for the "Physicians for Our Future" fund.

"We are delighted to announce that we have contracts from two physicians to practice in Onawa at the Family Medicine Clinic," Tramp says. "Our efforts were strengthened by the extra recruitment funds we had to work with that came in through donations to the 'Physicians for Our Future' fund. We are deeply grateful for our community support."

A Poinsettia Champagne Brunch takes place this year the day before the ball in recognition of the ball's 25th anniversary. The brunch starts at 11 a.m., Dec. 4 in the Onawa Community Center. Valet parking will be available along with a harpist during the meal and a program by the gospel group Triumphant Sound .

There also will be live dinner music at the Saturday, Dec. 5 Poinsettia Ball with pianist Terry Brooks. This year the buffet will serve a steak dinner in honor of the 25th celebration.

Music by Wave Length will complete the evening.

Auction gifts will be sold at both the brunch and the ball. Persons interested in donating a special silent auction gift this year in honor of the anniversary should call Shirley Bruegger at 712-423-9374.

No tickets will be mailed this year. Registration for the ball paid in advance is $50.  Registration for the brunch paid in advance is $35. Prices increase for those who register at the door. Register online at www.burgesshc.org, at the Burgess information desk or mail a check to Burgess Foundation, 1600 Diamond Street, Onawa, IA  51040.