PHILADELPHIA – St. Joseph's Hospital, a 146-bed acute care hospital, is upgrading the information technology system in its emergency department. St. Joseph's treats more than 25,000 patients a year in its emergency department.

The hospital will roll out technology developed by Somerset, N.J.-based Wellsoft Corp.

The implementation of Wellsoft will lead to more complete documentation and more efficient processes giving clinicians more time at patient bedsides, hospital officials said. ED management will use data gathered in Wellsoft's system to create reports to gain a better understanding of ED operations. The goal is to decrease turnaround times and increase patient satisfaction.

"Automating the ER process allows us to provide service to patients faster and better," said Catherine Kutzler, CEO of St. Joseph's Hospital. "Our goal is to provide quality care for our patients, and we believe Wellsoft is an important tool to help us achieve this goal."

St Joseph's emergency department, open 24 hours a day, is classified as a Level II Emergency Center. The level of care available ranges from the continuation or initiation of advanced life support measures to the assessment and treatment of minor illnesses or injuries or acute exacerbations of a chronic medical condition.

St. Joseph's is part of the North Philadelphia Health System, which is made up of St Joseph's and Girard Medical Center.