Deb Carlson, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Clinical Informatics Specialist, has been named as a 2017 Hospital Hero. She received the award at the Iowa Hospital Annual Meeting in Des Moines on October 11.
Starting her nursing career in 1983, Deb held a variety of positions in Public Health, obstetrics and as House Supervisor. With each role her colleagues looked to Deb for her leadership and knowledge. She was a constant learner eventually receiving her BSN and MSN while continuing to work, be a farm wife and raise her kids.
In 2014, BVRMC looked to develop and implement our electronic medical records system. The huge task would include leading the charge to convert doctors, nurses and staff with varying degrees of computer knowledge and acceptance of this new technology.
Deb has led BVRMC developing and implementing its electronic medical records system, where a patient’s information is readily accessible for caregivers to make the best decisions.
“During implementation of a new electronic health records, Deb worked long hours for several months. She was available to hospital employees and physicians to assist with this challenge, offering training and resolving technical issues at all hours of the day or night. She regularly received phone calls at home at night and on weekends and would assist the caller with whatever they needed,” recalls Lori Cherrier, BVRMC Director of Health Information and Privacy Officer.
Deb has sought additional learning opportunities and received her American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification in Nursing Informatics. She has since been sought for her expertise from many other organizations.
“Deb is a credentialed trainer for EPIC (BVRMC’s electronic medical record system) and she travels to other UnityPoint Health affiliate hospitals and helps train their staff during system Go Lives,” states Krista Ketcham, BVRMC Chief Financial Officer. “We often have other affiliate hospitals contacting us and then sending their new staff to us to have Deb provide their training. She is truly a resource for not only our hospital but the system as a whole. Deb has a great reputation within the Rural UnityPoint Health system.”
Dawn Bach, BVRMC Chief Clinical Officer, says, “Heroes are people who want to make a difference in other people’s lives because they know they can. Heroes are people who see hope and possibility when others see risk or peril. Heroes are people like Deb who quietly go about their day helping others with courage and commitment and a lot of heart.”