An Epic achievement: Natchaug Adds Electronic Medical Record
On August 20, 2016 Natchaug Hospital took its first step towards the future of medical health records as the adult, adolescent and child inpatient units went live with Epic, an electronic health record system.
The transition to the Epic platform creates a single electronic medical record for patients that can be reviewed and updated by any provider in Hartford HealthCare or at other Epic institutions across the country.
“From a client’s perspective, it means that no matter where you go across the healthcare system, your history and story follows you,” said Gale Sullivan, MSN, RN-BC, Regional Director of Nursing for the Behavioral Health Network- East Region. “The end result is major improvements in patient experience and safety.”
Epic eliminates the need for multiple medical charts and redundant paperwork as patients navigate the healthcare system; and by giving providers easy access to medical history and records, the likelihood of repetitive medical tests and medication errors is greatly reduced.
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group, Hartford Hospital, MidState Medical Center and Windham Hospital also went live during fiscal year 2016. Plans are in the works to roll out Epic at all Hartford HealthCare institutions over the next couple years.