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Sallye McKenzie
Nursing Informaticist, Experienced Epic Certified Orders Builder, EHR and Quality Implementation Experience
Professional Background
Sallye McKenzie is a dedicated healthcare professional leveraging her extensive experience and expertise in clinical documentation and electronic health record (EHR) systems to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Currently, she serves as a Clinical Application Analyst IV on the Sutter Health EHR Clinical Content team, where she collaborates with a diverse group of specialists, including those in OB/GYN, General Surgery, and Anesthesia. Her role is pivotal in developing and optimizing clinical documentation based on best practices and the latest clinical research, which is essential for providing high-quality patient care.
A key aspect of Sallye's work involves participation in the Clinical Documentation Improvement committee, which ensures that Sutter Health meets critical regulatory documentation requirements. Her focus on ICD-10 coding and Meaningful Use compliance plays a vital role in the healthcare organization’s ability to deliver top-notch services while adhering to necessary legal standards. Moreover, Sallye partners with the Office of Patient Experience to implement various quality initiatives across the Sutter system. Notable projects include the management of initiatives such as OB Sepsis, Enhanced Recovery after Surgery, and OB Diabetic Care, showcasing her commitment to improving clinical outcomes through collaborative efforts.
Before her current position, Sallye made significant contributions as a labor and delivery nurse. In that role, she was involved in developing, training, and implementing an electronic clinical documentation system that supported multiple facets of maternity care, including labor, delivery, recovery, operating room processes, postpartum, antepartum testing, and special care nursery documentation. Her experience at the bedside has given her unique insights into the clinical workflow, making her input invaluable in the development of EHR systems that truly support providers in their documentation needs.
After transitioning from bedside nursing, Sallye took on a managerial role, overseeing a team of business and clinical analysts at Mills-Peninsula Health Services. This team was instrumental in supporting Epic EHR applications and was involved in all aspects of EHR training, end-user support, workflow optimization, application testing, validation, and downtime management. Sallye’s leadership helped mitigate operational impacts while ensuring that staff and healthcare professionals were well-equipped to utilize the new systems effectively.
Her extensive experience managing teams also includes preparing approximately 2800 staff and physicians for the major implementation of EHR at Mills-Peninsula Health Services. She played a crucial role in the clinical content build of the EHR, a task that involved significant attention to detail and collaboration with various stakeholders across the institution.
Education and Achievements
Sallye McKenzie has a strong educational background that combines both nursing and political science. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from San Francisco State University, providing her with advanced clinical knowledge and skills. In addition, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Communications from Winthrop University, demonstrating her well-rounded education and ability to communicate effectively in diverse settings.
Her commitment to professional development is evident through her certifications and specialties. Sallye is Epic Certified in Inpatient Orders, and she serves as the system manager for GE Centricity Perinatal. Her expertise as a clinical systems analyst encompasses clinical system development, training, and implementation, particularly in the realm of perinatal nursing. Sallye's skills extend to labor, delivery, recovery, operating room functions, antepartum testing, post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) practices, limited ultrasound, and postpartum care, making her a versatile asset to any healthcare organization.
Notable Achievements
Some of Sallye’s notable achievements include her successful contributions to quality improvement initiatives across multiple clinical specialties, ensuring that evidence-based practices are integrated into clinical documentation and procedures. By focusing on projects that aim to optimize patient outcomes and streamline documentation processes, she consistently aims to enhance the overall patient experience.
Working closely with interdisciplinary teams, Sallye has demonstrated an ability to manage complex projects that require coordination among various healthcare professionals, a testament to her excellent organizational and communication skills. Her previous experience as a labor and delivery nurse provides her with a unique perspective that informs her work in EHR implementation and clinical documentation optimization.
As she looks to the future, Sallye aims to continue focusing on critical projects related to EHR implementation, prioritizing a smooth transition from paper-based documentation to electronic systems for both healthcare staff and physicians. Her passion for improving healthcare technology and patient outcomes highlights her commitment to fostering innovation in the healthcare sector, ensuring that healthcare providers have the necessary tools to deliver exceptional care.
Sallye McKenzie is truly a standout professional in the realm of healthcare technology, possessing a rare combination of clinical expertise, leadership skills, and a genuine dedication to improving patient care through efficient documentation processes. With a focus on the future of EHR systems and a commitment to quality improvement, Sallye is poised to make significant contributions to the ongoing evolution of healthcare delivery systems.