Longstreet Clinic launched a system-wide Epic EHR implementation on July 1 after 18 months of preparation.
Georgia-based medical group Longstreet Clinic recently went live with an integrated Epic EHR implementation across its locations after an 18-month preparation process.
Longstreet opted to implement Epic in an effort to enable seamless health data exchange with other Epic users in Northeast Georgia, including Northeast Georgia Medical Center, the Heart Center of NGMC, and Northeast Georgia Physicians Group.
The new health IT system will replace Longstreet’s existing platforms across care settings including lab and radiology care centers. The Epic system will also assist with billing and financial operations.
Want to publish your own articles on DistilINFO Publications?
Send us an email, we will get in touch with you.
“Epic is a game-changer from both a patient and clinical perspective,” said Chad Copper, MD, FACS, general surgeon at Longstreet Clinic. “Because, if you are a patient at more than one of the healthcare provider groups on Epic in our region, all your providers will be able to access the same shared health record – placing access to such items as medication lists, procedure lists, diagnostic results and past medical histories at their fingertips.”
“Epic has the power to connect our patient’s medical care across our community like never before, creating a more seamless and improved environment of care,” Copper added.
Northeast Georgia Health System implemented Epic EHR in October 2017. Longstreet Clinic subsequently made the decision to switch to Epic in December 2017 after a multi-year EHR selection process.
As a result of the switch, providers within the NGHS network will have access to complete patient health records belonging to Longstreet patients whenever Longstreet patients show up in emergency rooms or see clinicians part of NGHS. Consequently, Longstreet physicians will be able to view information about NGHS emergency room visits within their patients’ EHRs.
“Not only does our Epic partnership improve the health of our community by giving patients more access to information about their care,” said NGHS President and CEO Carol Burrell. “It also creates a foundation for NGHS and Longstreet Clinic to continue working together to provide services that our patients and community need.”
Longstreet includes over 800 affiliated staff and providers who have logged more than 30,000 hours in training, clinical workflow design, and go-live preparation over the past 18 months.
“Longstreet Clinic has always been an early adopter of technology,” said Longstreet Clinic CEO Mimi Collins. “We implemented the region’s first electronic health record in 2001, and our physicians and staff have already followed and exceeded industry standards for conversion to Epic, putting us on track for a seamless launch for our patients, staff and providers.”
Longstreet hired nine Lanier Technical College Health Information Management students to assist in a six-week “Technical Dress Rehearsal” for the Epic go-live.
“In an effort to test every desktop, laptop, printer, scanner and beyond – Longstreet Clinic and the Lanier Technical College students had to touch and test every device to make sure every aspect of the technology worked as it should,” said Longstreet Clinic COO Loren Funk.
“A true community-wide effort, these students have provided invaluable manpower during our conversion process proactively helping to identify any possible technical disruptions to our patient flow prior to launch,” added Funk.
Longstreet patients will also gain access to Epic’s patient portal MyChart. The tool will enable patients to access their health information, schedule appointments, and electronically communicate with providers online.
“MyChart is the patient portal platform already in use by NGHS that helps connect patients to their doctor or provider to manage their health,” Copper said. “When Longstreet Clinic goes live on July 1, it will sync our records in MyChart as well.”
“So, patients of Longstreet Clinic who are already MyChart users through the Health System will automatically see our Longstreet providers and health information load to their accounts,” added Copper. “And for new users, it will be an easy sign up process.”
Date: July 02, 2019
Source: EHR Intelligence