"Enhancing the quality of rural health care is a top priority for USDA Rural Development," Conner said. "We are pleased to help seven more rural hospitals and medical centers use these funds to develop state-of-the-art electronic medical record-keeping systems to improve the quality of care in their communities."
Among the seven providers in six states is Iowa's Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage, which received a total of $659,000 in grants and loans to improve the quality and accessibility of medical data by installing high-speed telecommunications lines. In Lamar, Colo., the Prowers County Hospital District was selected to receive a loan/grant combination of $308,460 to enhance its electronic medical records (EMR) filing system with a diagnostic workstation and emergency information. In Rockland, Maine, the Penobscot Bay Medical Center was selected for a $1 million loan and grant combination to expand its EMR system. Rural Development funds will be used to provide software, medical carts and laptop computers. The EMR system will integrate existing systems and services provided by staff, such as patient history, physicians' orders and hospital admissions. EMR systems use technology to improve the speed and accuracy of transmitting medical data to doctors, nurses, hospitals and other medical professionals in rural communities.
The complete list of recipients is listed below. Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the conditions of the grant agreement.
| Recipient | State | Grant Amount | Loan Amount |
| Prowers County Hospital District | CO | $61,548 | $246,912 |
| Jersey Community Hospital District | IL | $115,600 | $462,4000 |
| Mitchell County Regional Health Center | IA | $131,800 | $527,200 |
| Penobscot Bay Medical Center | ME | $200,000 | $800,000 |
| Texas County Memorial Hospital | MO | $86,500 | $346,000 |
| Lewistown Hospital | PA | $108,750 | $435,000 |
| JC Blair Memorial Hospital | PA | $60,200 | $240,800 |
USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested nearly $91 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.5 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov.
Autor(en)/Author(s): Weldon Freeman & Keith Williams
Quelle/Source: USDA, 11.10.2007
