DoD Set to Start Biggest Wave of EHR Implementation

Following the Department of Defense’s (DoD) west coast deployment of its new EHR system, MHS GENESIS, the agency is gearing up for its most robust EHR implementation wave to date.

Ellsworth Air Force Base (28th MDG) in South Dakota will soon be one of over 200 DoD locations to deploy the new EHR platform. It will also be one of 29 healthcare treatment facilities to go live on April 24.

Colonel Robert Corby, 28th MDG commander, urged Ellsworth patients to access the new patient portal before the system goes live.

Utilizing the MHS GENESIS patient portal, Ellsworth patients can communicate with providers, schedule appointments, view lab results and health history, and place prescription refill orders.

MHS GENESIS will also equip patients with added benefits for filling prescriptions at the 28th MDG pharmacy.

“As with any new system, there will be a learning period for our staff and patients,” said Corby. “We want to ensure that all of our beneficiaries are aware of this and take steps now to help with the transition.”

DoD health officials have said the EHR implementation will improve interoperability and allow for patient data exchange between all military branches and connected commercial care providers. The new system aims to boost effectiveness, improve patient experience and safety, enable the application of standardized workflows, and enhance healthcare delivery, the agency said.

It will also provide a single patient health record for service members, veterans, and their families.

“It will improve communication not only across the military clinics but also across the Veterans Affairs Health Systems and civilian providers,” Corby said. 

Corby boasted about the Cerner-based EHR platform, saying it streamlines updates, upgrades, and optimizations.

“Patients will benefit from secure, 24/7 access to their health information and patient education through the MHS Genesis Patient Portal. This portal can be accessed now, and patients can establish a premium account,” Corby continued.

According to 28th MDG, its clinician users have prepared and trained for the new system for over a year.

“This is certainly a big lift for the 28th MDG,” Corby said.

“We have utilized a combination of tactics ranging from solution calls and weekly synchronization meetings to role-based training, engagement with the enterprise team, awareness fairs and internal and external communication,” Corby added. “Acclimating to the new EHR has taken a great deal of training, and all MHS Genesis users have 40 to 120 hours of computer-based training followed by in-person instruction depending on their specific user role.”

Ellsworth also sent 20 “super users” for additional, in-depth EHR training to Fort Carson, CO.

“These super users will act as the first line of support for us during the go-live period and will assist future implementation waves by traveling to other installations as part of the ‘Pay It Forward Program,’” Corby said. “During the initial 10 days of go-live, Ellsworth will benefit from this program as super users from other bases will help us through our launch.”

During the first few weeks following implementation, 28th MDG said patients should expect reduced appointment availability due to the staff adjusting to the new system.

“We’re asking for patience from our customers,” Corby concluded. “Think of this as our staff learning to communicate in a new language. It will take additional time and we want to make sure everything is in good order and working properly. Patient safety is the highest priority ... if we need to go slower to make sure we get it right in the new system, that is exactly what we will do.”

The EHR platform is now live on the Pacific coast with roughly 20,000 active users.

MHS GENESIS plans to deploy  the new EHR system across the country and overseas in 23 total waves. Each deployment wave will target a specific region of the country per year, with roughly three hospitals and several military treatment facilities for each wave.