VMH’s conversion to EPIC medical record system happening June 14
For the last year, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH)has been going through the very detailed process of converting its entire electronic medical record system to the EPIC system. That conversion will soon happen Saturday, June 14. The hospital has had a desire to reach this milestone for many years, but funding and the right partnership to make this happen was not available until this last year.
In order to go through this size of a conversion, smaller hospitals like Veterans Memorial must have a partner to help walk them through this process. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) routinely sponsors one entity each year to convert to this EPIC system. Over a dozen professionals from the UIHC have been working diligently with many of the hospital staff on a daily basis, coordinating this extremely detailed process that involves every department of the hospital. Many of these UIHC individuals will be on site during this transition as well, ensuring a smooth transition.
“Our staff has worked so diligently on this incredibly detailed process. It is quite an undertaking and we are very excited the go-live day is just about here so the staff can see the positive results of all their hard work,” states Michael Coyle, CEO of Veterans Memorial Hospital. “EPIC will change how patients access their health information through MyChart, which is the patient portal for EPIC. It allows access to test results, scheduling, secure messaging with care givers, screening reminders, virtual visits, prescription management, timely payments and so much more. EPIC truly allows the patient to take control of their healthcare.”
Coyle continues, “We may see some delays at our registration desks during this transition, so please have patience as we familiarize ourselves with this new system. It will be well worth it!”
EPIC is utilized by most all of the larger health systems in the Midwest. By Veterans Memorial Hospital undergoing this conversion, their medical records will now be able to ‘talk’ to the records in the larger systems, which will prove highly beneficial for patients and all involved hospitals and clinics. For example, when a patient is cared for by their local family practice provider in the hospital’s Waukon or Postville Clinic, then is referred for specialty care in a larger system, such as Gundersen or Mayo, the record of their local care will easily be seen by their specialist. And the same is also true for anyone returning to the Waukon or Postville Clinic once again for local care. Their records from the larger facility will now be accessible for the first time.
Trish Shelton, RN, Informatics Coordinator at Veterans Memorial Hospital, has been leading this large project. She states, “EPIC will enhance quality, safety and efficiency of patient care by improving how information is shared across health settings. We have a great team here at VMH, all working together with a shared goal to benefit our patients and community. We can’t wait to see the benefits of all of their hard work unfold in just a few weeks!”
This conversion to EPIC will not only gain access to a comprehensive, user-friendly platform that streamlines patient data, but many other benefits will be enjoyed such as the following:
• Improved care thanks to more informed decisions and better coordination of patient care.
• Increased patient safety by minimizing the risk of errors with all records visible by the entire care team.
• Cleaner records whenever a patient needs to transfer from one facility to another, making the process more efficient.
• Increased patient engagement through the MyChart patient portal.
• Quicker test results will be visible through the MyChart system.
• Patients will have the ability to request an appointment, request prescription refills and even ask their provider questions through the use of the MyChart patient portal.
• Enhanced processes for a smoother and more precise billing experience.
• Patients will have the ability to pay bills online through the MyChart portal.
• Local recruitment of medical professionals will be easier since most are trained on this system at other facilities and during their schooling and wish to continue using it professionally.
“I am so thankful we will soon be converted to the EPIC system and have the MyChart capabilities. It will streamline the efficiencies of coding and billing processes while also improving the overall health care experience for both our patients and our staff,” states Becky Johnson, Revenue Cycle Director. “EPIC moves us forward about 10 years and positions us for the future, bringing us modern capabilities that align with our mission of providing an exceptional health care experience.”
Veterans Memorial Hospital will be educating its patients and the public on how to sign-up for the MyChart system, which is used by over 150 million patients across the United States. Information will be shared through all area media as well as the hospital’s website and social media updates, and at the hospital and clinics as well.
