EveryStep Secures $40,000 Grant for Electronic Health Record Transition
EveryStep, a Des Moines-based nonprofit providing community-based healthcare and support services, has been awarded a $40,000 Community Development Grant from the Polk County Board of Supervisors. The funding is designated to support the organization’s transition to Careficient, a specialized electronic health record (EHR) platform, replacing legacy systems to improve clinical documentation and operational oversight.
How the Funding Will Be Used
The grant, sourced from gaming revenues generated by the Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, covers specific costs associated with organizational digital transformation. According to the Polk County Board of Supervisors, the project budget includes three primary pillars: system implementation, comprehensive data migration from existing databases, and mandatory staff training. The shift to the Careficient platform is designed to modernize how EveryStep tracks patient outcomes and manages service delivery across its diverse programs, which range from hospice and home care to community health support.
Why Modernizing Health Records Matters
For nonprofit health providers, the transition to cloud-based EHR systems is often a prerequisite for maintaining regulatory compliance and data security. By moving away from legacy systems, EveryStep aims to reduce the administrative burden on clinical staff. Modern platforms like Careficient allow for real-time tracking of service gaps, which enables providers to allocate resources more effectively. This digital upgrade is expected to strengthen the organization’s ability to protect sensitive patient information while ensuring that health data remains accessible and accurate for care coordinators.
Context of Polk County Community Grants
The Polk County Board of Supervisors distributes gaming revenue grants annually to support infrastructure and social services that enhance the quality of life for residents. These grants are often used by nonprofits to bridge the gap between operational budgets and capital investment needs. While EveryStep serves a broad demographic, the reliance on county-level gaming grants reflects a broader trend of local governments funding the digital modernization of the safety-net health sector.
Key Takeaways
- Funding Source: The $40,000 grant originates from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino gaming revenues, administered by the Polk County Board of Supervisors.
- Operational Impact: The investment facilitates the adoption of the Careficient EHR system, replacing outdated legacy software.
- Primary Objectives: The upgrade focuses on streamlining clinical workflows, improving data security, and enhancing the tracking of community health outcomes.
- Organizational Scope: EveryStep provides a wide array of support services, making the consolidation of data into a single platform essential for organizational efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the primary benefit of the Careficient system?
- The system is designed to streamline clinical workflows and improve the accuracy of health outcome tracking, which helps staff manage patient care more efficiently.
- Who provides the funding for these grants?
- The funding is provided through the Polk County Board of Supervisors, utilizing revenue generated from the Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino.
- Does this grant cover ongoing maintenance?
- The grant is specifically allocated for the one-time costs of implementation, data migration, and initial staff training.