Prime Healthcare Implements Epic Systems EHR in New CA Hospital
Prime Healthcare, one of the nationu2019s largest health systems, has launched Epic Systems EHR at its newly acquired California-based hospital, St. Francis Medical Center. The historic acquisition of St. Francis Medical Center, a 384-bed hospital, cost Prime Healthcare over $350 million. Located in Southeast Los Angeles, St. Francis Medical Center treats an average of roughly 64,000 emergency patients and over 2,000 trauma patients per year. The health facility is one of the largest acute care hospitals in Los Angeles county. u201cWith the acquisition of St. Francis Medical Center by Prime Healthcare, our community can be confident that St. Francis Medical Center will always be available for them when they need us,u201d Maxine Anderson, MD, chief of staff at St. Francis, said in a statement. Dig Deeper Epic Systems, Cerner Exceeds EHR Client Expectations During COVID-19 Epic Systems Delays Return to Work Policy Amid Employee Blowback Ochsner Health System Boosts Interoperability with Epic Systems EHR u201cPrime has already substantially completed the installation of a new medical record system and will continue to offer comprehensive healthcare services that include outpatient services to basic emergency services, womenu2019s services, stroke/STEMI services, trauma services, and more,u201d Anderson continued. u201cWe look forward to continuing these key services with Prime Healthcareu2019s acquisition and leadership.u201d Along with the $350 million purchase agreement, Prime invested $47 million to improve the hospital. Right away, the health system implemented the Epic Systems EHR platform to enhance interoperability. A patient at St. Francis Medical Center can make her health records accessible to a separate hospital in the Prime Healthcare system, or a separate hospital out of the health system that also uses Epic. St. Francis patients will also be able to access Epicu2019s patient portal, MyChart. Using the patient portal, the patient can schedule appointments, place orders for prescription refills, communicate with providers, and view both health history and lab results. Patients can access the patient portal on their mobile phone or computer. Ninety percent of medical students and residents are currently educated or trained on Epicu2019s EHR platform, according to the vendor. Familiarity with the EHR system aims to ease the training process. Prime also implemented automated medication dispensing, along with new interventional radiology and cardiology health IT, the health system added. While Prime implemented a new EHR system and health IT, the health system said it plans to maintain the hospitalu2019s essential care and trauma care, along with its charity and community benefit programs. u201cPrime Healthcare is honored to continue the legacy of St. Francis Medical Center, an indispensable community partner comprised of committed doctors, nurses, and staff dedicated to saving lives and serving all those in need,u201d said Sunny Bhatia, MD, CEO of Region I of Prime Healthcare. u201cPrime is prepared to lead St. Francis into a bright future and we are grateful for the opportunity along with the support we have received from the community.u201d Now with St. Francis Medical Center in the fold, the health system currently owns and operates over 45 hospitals spanning across 14 states. It also employs roughly 40,000 clinicians and employees. u201cPrime has remained deeply committed to St. Francis and was chosen as the most capable and only bidder with the fortitude to support the hospital in its time of greatest need, despite the burden of the pandemic, the uncertain future and economic impact on hospitals,u201d Rich Adcock, CEO of Verity Health, said in a statement. u201cWe have been impressed by the unwavering dedication and talent of the Prime team and we are confident that Prime will preserve and improve upon the St. Francis legacy for future generations of the South Los Angeles community, as it has done for hospitals and communities time and time again across this nation.u201d
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