Recent EHR Investments Focus on Interoperability, Patient Experience

TN Health System Selects Epic EHR to Enhance Care Coordination

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (MLH) in Tennessee recently announced an Epic EHR implementation that is set to improve interoperability for care coordination.

The EHR implementation will align patient health data from every MLH care setting into one digital platform.

"This advanced technology is an investment in our physicians, team members, patients, and the communities we are privileged to serve," Michael Ugwueke, MPH, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO of MLH, noted in a public statement.

"Whether patients are treated in an MLH minor med, a primary care office or one of our hospitals, physicians and care teams will have effortless and secure access to patients' records in Epic across the care continuum," he added.

The EHR implementation will support patient access to health data through the MyChart app. Patients will also be able to check in electronically for appointments, request prescription refills, and directly message care team members.

"Epic allows for patients and physicians to have a seamless connection with each other – further delivering on our commitment to more personalized care and a better patient experience," said Monica Wharton, executive vice president and chief administrative officer at MLH.

NE Hospital Moves to MEDITECH EHR for Patient Experience

Cherry County Hospital and Clinic in Nebraska has selected a MEDITECH EHR implementation to bring their hospital, clinics, and home care under a single EHR.

"Expanse will help our providers navigate patient records with ease and efficiency, decreasing the time we spend on administrative tasks and increasing the time we spend with patients," Allegra M. Ponshock, MD, CCH physician champion.

Officials said that the health system's one-record approach is set to boost patient engagement.

"With improved access to their own health records, patients can be more involved in healthcare decisions at their convenience and on an ongoing basis," said Nancy Hicks-Arsenault, CNO of CCH.

Women's Health Group Taps eClinicalWorks EHR to Drive Efficiencies

Atlanta Women's Health Group recently transitioned to an EHR from eClinicalWorks to scale operations and enhance care delivery.

"Before eClinicalWorks, we used five different systems for clinical reporting, patient management, and more," John A. Taylor, chief administrative officer of Atlanta Women's Health Group, said in a public statement. "We moved to the eClinicalWorks Cloud and healow solutions to meet our organizational goals and prepare for future growth."

"Our physicians played a key role in selecting eClinicalWorks, as they are the primary users of the product on a daily basis," Taylor noted. "With eClinicalWorks, they will now have a holistic, cloud-based system for data-backed care that will grow with the practice and offer solutions for value-based care."

The eClinicalWorks Cloud supports limitless storage with improved data collation and computing.

Additionally, the EHR implementation includes solutions for OB/GYN practices, such as the customizable OB Flowsheet, which contains timelines to monitor pregnancy progress to improve practice efficiency and continuity of care.