Mercy and SoutheastHEALTH will merge, granting SoutheastHEALTH access to Mercy’s Epic EHR system. The partnership aims to enhance patient-provider communication, integrate clinical services, and streamline financial processes. SoutheastHEALTH chose Mercy due to its financial robustness and proximity, offering solutions to challenges like inflation and workforce shortages. Patients will also benefit from the MyChart patient portal. Springfield Clinic is adopting Athenahealth’s EHR system to improve provider and patient experiences. HealthTexas Medical Group achieved a 5-star rating through eClinicalWorks’ HEDIS platform, improving patient engagement and screening ratings.
Mercy and SoutheastHEALTH have reached a definitive agreement to merge their health systems, with SoutheastHEALTH gaining access to Mercy’s advanced Epic EHR system.
This agreement paves the way for SoutheastHEALTH to become part of Mercy’s multi-hospital system, enabling them to leverage the benefits of the Epic EHR system.
The primary objective of this merger is to enhance patient-provider communication, integrate clinical services, and optimize financial and billing processes.
SoutheastHEALTH chose to partner with Mercy due to its financial strength, abundant resources, and proximity, all of which are seen as effective solutions to address current challenges such as inflation, workforce shortages, and the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Ken Bateman, the president of SoutheastHEALTH, the focus was on finding a long-term solution that would secure the strength and growth of SoutheastHEALTH for decades to come, rather than just addressing short-term challenges.
The affiliation process commenced in January, with a signed letter of intent setting the stage for SoutheastHEALTH to join one of the largest healthcare systems in the United States.
After the transition, the healthcare system is expected to adopt the name “Mercy Southeast” and will enjoy full access to integrated software benefits, including the Epic EHR system.
Ken Bateman expressed his belief that this move will bring noticeable additional resources to the employees of SoutheastHEALTH. He emphasized that implementing the Epic EMR will be a significant undertaking but will greatly benefit their clinical team.
He further emphasized that advancements in AI, technology, and other aspects are rapidly entering the healthcare sector and that Mercy’s involvement will help SoutheastHEALTH stay cost-effective and technologically advanced, ultimately benefiting both patients and the hospital.
Patients will also have access to Epic’s MyChart patient portal, allowing them to conveniently schedule appointments, order prescription refills, communicate with providers, and access their health history and lab results from their mobile phones or computers.
Springfield Clinic Connects Over 675 Providers with Athenahealth EHR System
Springfield Clinic, spanning 20 Illinois counties, is adopting the athenahealth EHR system for all its locations, unifying over 675 providers in 80 medical specialties.
Officials from Springfield Clinic expressed their need for technology that could improve the experiences of providers, staff, and patients alike.
The goal was to find an EHR platform that is physician-friendly and patient-friendly, and they found these qualities in athenaOne, a part of the athenahealth suite. The athenaOne portal is expected to significantly upgrade its patient journey, aligning with the clinic’s focus on providing a high-quality patient experience.
Interoperability was a key requirement for the ideal solution, as it should integrate patient data from various community health systems into the physician workflow, facilitating informed decision-making during consultations.
After a thorough evaluation, officials concluded that athenaOne was the best fit for their needs. The system is expected to simplify workflow challenges for staff and providers, present a comprehensive view of patient information at the point of care, and accommodate the clinic’s evolving requirements.
The user-friendly interface of athenaOne was particularly appreciated, as it aligns with how their physicians work, and it provides access to meaningful patient data from other care settings, applications, and IT systems when needed the most.
HealthTexas Medical Group Enhanced Care Quality with eClinicalWorks EHR Tools
HealthTexas Medical Group has achieved a remarkable 5-star customer quality rating across various healthcare screenings, largely due to leveraging eClinicalWorks Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) platform.
By utilizing eClinicalWorks’ HEDIS tool, HealthTexas effectively tracked patient compliance through alerts and reminders, resulting in substantial improvements in 2022, as reported by medical group officials.
This approach not only identified gaps in care but also enhanced patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans.
Their efforts led to significant improvements in quality measurement ratings for various screenings, with diabetic eye exams soaring from a 1-star to a 5-star rating, blood pressure control and colorectal screenings climbing from a 3-star to a 5-star rating, and breast cancer screenings advancing from a 4-star to a 5-star rating.
Kip Porter, the director of clinical applications at HealthTexas Medical Group, emphasized the importance of patient satisfaction and the role of a multidimensional EHR system like eClinicalWorks in providing exceptional care. He highlighted that the real-time accessibility of data through HEDIS helps their providers meet quality measures and streamline their systems to enhance patient satisfaction.
