Iowa 19-20 SHIP Project Hardware/Software Approval

Hospital Purchase of Hardware/Software

If a hospital has already completed ALL investments listed on the SHIP purchasing menu, the hospital may identify an alternative piece of hardware and/or software ONLY IF: a) the purchase will optimally affect the hospital’s transformation into an accountable care organization, increase value-based purchasing objectives and/or aid in the adoption of ICD-10; and b) the hospital receives pre-approval from the state SHIP Coordinator.

Hospitals can select to purchase hardware or software according to the SHIP Grant Menu in various areas including ICD-10 Coding Software (PB Menu), or various areas under the ACO menu, including pharmacy services, disease registry development/ implementation, application/implementation of telehealth, or community paramedicine hardware/software (up to $3,500).

Please note that all funding is subject to review of the SHIP grant / IDPH team. By submission below, you are submitting the request for approval. Please do not make any purchase before receiving approval.

If you have questions, please contact: Susannah.cowart@hometownhealthonline.com.

Notes on acceptable use of funding:

ACO: B. Pharmacy services implementation - hardware/software that supports remote pharmacy services

ACO: C. Disease registry training and/or software/hardware - Any educational training hardware/software to support development and implementation of a disease registry

ACO: F. Mobile health hardware and/or software - Training hardware/software that supports the application and implementation of telehealth and/or telemedicine. Tablets and hardware/software investments are allowed if they are used by staff to improve operational efficiencies and telehealth services.
(In the past, other examples of approved expenses related to SHIP categories above included: Monitors for telemedicine Use, telehealth equipment carts, telemedicine peripherals/accessories (such as digital stethoscopes), tablets to be used for telemedicine specific assistance, software/hardware related to mobile teleradiology and Tele-OB/neonate programs, webcams/videoconferencing equipment, translation software to enable face to face connection rather than telephonic translation, etc. )

ACO: G. Community paramedicine training and/or hardware/software installation/use- Community Paramedic Program (CPP) training. If the hospital and/or hospital-owned ambulance units has a formal CPP, then hardware/software can be purchased to support the CPP to reduce emergency medical services (EMS) and emergency department misuse and readmissions. However, use of SHIP funding for general EMS equipment is not allowable.

PB: A. ICD-10 software - Training that updates and computerizes hospital policies and procedures; Hardware/software investments that improve quality, efficiencies, and coding

Please note that other unallowable expenses under the SHIP grant include, but are not limited to, travel costs, hospital services, hospital staff salaries, or general supplies.

Please note that if you have questions regarding the appropriateness or fit of a certain activity or equipment purchase, we encourage you to receive approval before making any purchase.

1. Hospital Name: *This question is required.

2. Submitter Name and Title: *This question is required.

3. Submitter's Email Address: (Note: approval will be send to this email address.) *This question is required. This question requires a valid email address.

4. Please select the category of hardware/software purchase: *This question is required.

5. Description of Expense/Equipment and how it will help your hospital.

Note: SHIP allowable investments include activities to assist small rural hospitals with their quality improvement efforts and with their adaptation to changing payment systems through investments in hardware, software and related trainings. This includes aiding with value and quality improvement.
*This question is required.

6. Description of specific outcomes/goals you anticipate achieving related to this purchase/expense for your hospital.

Examples of outcomes or goals for hardware/software purchase or installation:

Increase in patients who can be served
Increase in staff who have access to the new system
Improved process efficiencies (e.g., Time saved as a result of the new technology
Money saved or generated through the use of the new technology)

*This question is required.

7. Estimated value of hardware/software purchase (up to $3,500 will be allotted) *This question is required.