Southwest Health System will launch a new electronic health record system and unified patient portal April 13, with all Southwest Medical Group clinics transitioning at the same time.
The Oracle Health CommunityWorks Ambulatory EHR combines clinical information, workflows and patient engagement tools into a single platform, a change SHS said will improve care delivery across the region.
The transition will create a unified patient record, giving care teams systemwide access to the same real-time information at all clinic locations.
SHS said the system will strengthen care coordination, enhance patient safety by providing more complete and timely information, improve providers’ access to clinical data and tools and create a more seamless experience for patients.
“This is an exciting step forward for our organization and our community,” spokesman Chuck Krupa said. “Our teams have dedicated an extraordinary amount of time and effort to prepare for this transition. This new system allows us to deliver a more connected experience for our patients and equips our providers with the information they need to deliver high-quality, coordinated care.”
As part of the launch, medical clinics will adopt the existing Southwest Memorial Hospital Patient Portal, giving patients a single location to view health information and visit summaries, communicate with care teams, manage appointments and receive updates.
Patients who have a Southwest Memorial Hospital Patient Portal account will have their Southwest Medical Group records transferred automatically. Those without an account can set one up with help from hospital or clinic staff.
“A unified patient record strengthens clinical quality and patient safety by ensuring providers have timely access to complete and accurate information at the point of care,” Jenny Gero, chief medical officer at SHS, said. “This allows for more informed clinical decision-making, reduces variation in care and supports better outcomes across our organization.”
Additional support teams, including Oracle Health experts and trained internal staff, will be on site at all clinic locations during the transition to assist providers and employees.
