March 2003
For Immediate Release

3M™ Health Information Systems Introduces the NRS Rehabilitation Module
Turning Raw Data into Powerful Information

London, ON - Information has always been the double-edged ’scalpel’ for healthcare. On the one hand, consistent and complete information is mandatory in order to measure performance and track patient information but on the other hand, recording and tracking that information was always onerous. Not so any longer. 3M™ Health Information Systems has just introduced the NRS Rehabilitation Module. This automated system can be customized and can improve on reporting systems that may already be in place.

Having rehabilitation integrated with acute care data allows hospitals to track the entire stay of the patient, giving hospitals a global view. Now they can troubleshoot issues such as LOS (Length of Stay) or ALC (Alternative Levels of Care). What better way to improve patient care and make the best use of resources?

Developed in response to the Canadian Institute for Health Information’s (CIHI) National Rehabilitation Reporting System Requirements, the system has already been adopted at B.C.’s G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver, the province’s largest rehabilitation facility. With the implementation of the NRS Rehab Module, they are now finding their rehab facility can be compared to other rehab facilities rather than to acute care hospitals - a more realistic picture to paint. Now, rehab facilities across the country can collect data to support decision-making, facilitate provincial and territorial reporting and support analysis and research. In effect, this system allows users to present useful data for rehab.

The reports available under the NRS Rehab Module include client demographics by Rehab Client Groups or Program or Admission, Length of Stay, Admission or Discharge characteristics, and Functional Improvement Measure™ Reports to name a few. These reports, users are already discovering, allow Program Managers and Directors to measure the effectiveness of their programs.

The system allows users to measure performance by reporting on any field recorded, by choosing from a pre-built library of reports or even by creating one’s own. It allows for all data to be held in one place with no duplication of data entry and with more comprehensive reports. And best of all, the error-free checking chapter allows users to ensure their data is correct while still in the chart instead of waiting for error lists later.

Tracking an entire hospital stay is now a straightforward task, producing relevant, useful results. Data for rehab facilities is now powerful information, all achieved through the use of the 3M™ Health Information Systems NRS Rehabilitation Module.

3M is a diversified, international company with a health care business consisting of more than 10,000 medical, surgical, consumer, home health care, dental, and pharmaceutical products and computerized health information systems. 3M Health Care is committed to supplying reliable products and services that make a difference in the practice, delivery and outcome of health care.

Health Information Departments have always looked to 3M to produce new software products that make life easier. Since the entry of 3M™s Health Information Systems business into Canada in the early 90’s, it has evolved with the fast-paced changing needs of technology, and the increasing information needs of healthcare facilities and governments. For more information on any of 3M Canada’s Health Information System’s Solutions, please call 1-800-3M-HELPS or visit our web site at http://www.3m.com/ca/his.

Contact 3M Canada PR department.