University Hospitals (UH) has switched to the Epic Electronic Health Records (EHR) system, transferring 5.6 million patient records. The move aims to enhance care coordination and simplify patient scheduling. UH’s CEO, Dr. Cliff Megerian, emphasized the benefits of this implementation, highlighting improved patient access and connectivity to healthcare teams. The Epic EHR system streamlines appointment scheduling via the MyChart patient portal, integrating patient records across multiple healthcare organizations. This transition aligns UH with other leading health systems, like Intermountain and UPMC, recognizing the importance of modern technology for improved patient care and coordination.
University Hospitals (UH) has undergone a significant transformation by adopting the Epic Electronic Health Records (EHR) system, with the migration of over 5.6 million patient records. This strategic move aims to boost care coordination and simplify the patient scheduling process.
Dr. Cliff Megerian, the CEO of UH, emphasized that the implementation of the Epic EHR system will empower patients with greater access and connectivity to their healthcare teams. In a press release, Dr. Megerian remarked, “This implementation exemplifies the core values of University Hospitals. In a challenging healthcare landscape, UH has chosen to invest in cutting-edge technology, effectively upgrading the ‘central nervous system’ of our hospitals.”
He added, “We are confident that this investment will set us apart in the way we provide care to our patients, enabling us to consistently deliver excellence in service.”
The transition to Epic EHR promises to enhance access to care by simplifying patient scheduling through the user-friendly MyChart patient portal. This portal makes it easier for patients to schedule follow-up or new appointments, thereby improving their healthcare experience.
MyChart seamlessly integrates patient records within UH and with healthcare organizations across Northeast Ohio and the entire country, ensuring that patients have access to all their health information.
Dr. Megerian emphasized the significance of Epic in elevating UH’s unique qualities, stating, “Epic will enable us to amplify our differentiators. We are known for providing compassionate care, leading in value, driving scientific discovery, and being the hometown team. Our commitment to this community is unwavering, and Epic enhances our ability to uphold these standards.”
Robert K. Eardley, UH’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), highlighted how the Epic EHR implementation will streamline care by consolidating all patient records into a unified system. He explained, “For many years, our caregivers have had to navigate nearly twenty different computer applications to provide the best care for our patients. Bringing all of this into a single integrated record with Epic will empower our dedicated caregivers to efficiently access the right information and seamlessly document the best course of care for each individual. This will further enhance our personalized and compassionate approach to healthcare.”
UH’s adoption of Epic EHR aligns with the trend seen in several other large health systems, such as Intermountain and UPMC, which have also recently implemented the Epic EHR system. This move underscores the importance of modernizing healthcare technology to improve patient care and coordination.
