Northfield Hospital + Clinics boosts efficiency and engagement with MEDITECH Expanse [Video]

Keeping pace with the rapidly changing healthcare environment is a challenge that every organization faces. At Northfield Hospital + Clinics (NHC), remaining nimble by thoughtfully selecting and deploying advanced technology has kept the organization independent and at the forefront of innovative care. 

In this video series, the team at NHC shares how their close collaboration with MEDITECH has helped them evolve into a more connected, flexible, and forward-thinking organization. Rather than simply upgrading technology, they’ve built a foundation for lasting transformation.

Here’s a closer look at their key successes.

A Nimble Partnership

Just under an hour south of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Northfield Hospital + Clinics serves their patient population through inpatient care and clinics throughout the Twin Cities south metro and southern Minnesota. 

Given that every department has its own workflows, end users at NHC were excited to leverage the personalization capabilities of Expanse. With tailored workflows, clinicians can intuitively access the information and tools they need when they need them. The organization quickly realized that this approach opened the door to stronger patient engagement. When providers embrace technology like the patient portal, patients gain faster access to lab results, medication refills, and appointments, resulting in more seamless and connected care.

Building on this foundation of personalized, connected technology, NCH has established a data-driven strategy. Data drives decision-making at every level at Northfield Hospital + Clinics. BCA dashboards turn complex information into clear insights that guide daily operations, ranging from patient flow to surgeries, and more. Looking to the future, NHC is excited to explore AI advancements with MEDITECH to keep high-quality care close to home for their community.

Beyond LIVE Day: Optimizing MEDITECH's Partnership

Earlier this year, Northfield Hospital + Clinics hosted an Expanse optimization visit, bringing a MEDITECH team on-site to dive into their workflows, processes, and code. By listening to frontline users and collaborating in real time, the team was able to identify opportunities for improvement and implement solutions on the spot. 

The visit was especially valuable in fostering cross-departmental collaboration. For example, in the Utilization Review department, an Expanse specialist worked side-by-side with Northfield’s RN coordinator, demonstrating new workflows that were implemented that very day. This close collaboration between MEDITECH and end users at NHC highlights the benefits of a true strategic partner.

Easing Nurse and Therapist Burden with Expanse

With nursing shortages impacting healthcare organizations everywhere, Northfield Hospital + Clinics recognizes the value of listening to their nurses and empowering those at the bedside to lead real improvements to patient care.

With Expanse, documentation has become more streamlined: fetal monitor strips that were previously only paper-based now flow directly into the EHR and are stored electronically. In rehab services, therapists can view previous documentation in a spreadsheet format, bringing forward information that helps them work more efficiently.

NHC views technology, including AI, as a tool to enhance — not replace — the human touch. Nurses still need to spend time with patients, and AI offers opportunities to reclaim that time by improving documentation efficiency. With thoughtful technology integration, Northfield is creating workflows that empower staff, improve efficiency, and ensure that patient care remains at the center of everything they do.

Northfield Hospital + Clinics demonstrates that healthcare innovation comes from more than just technology — it comes from people working together with a shared vision and purpose. By building a connected, collaborative environment, they’ve positioned themselves to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s possibilities with confidence.