CHP extends reach of Electronic Health Records with Care Everywhere

CHP Extends the Reach of Electronic Health Records with Care Everywhere 

New software lets CHP exchange patient data with other healthcare providers so patients can receive better care 

Cincinnati, OH (January 10, 2012) – Catholic Health Partners (CHP) took an important step into the future of healthcare with yesterday’s implementation of Care Everywhere. This new software from Epic Systems Corporation enables healthcare providers in different parts of the country to access portions of the Epic electronic health record for patients whom both are serving. 

“Care Everywhere makes our electronic health record system even more powerful and beneficial to patients,” says Rebecca Sykes, CHP’s chief information officer and senior vice president of resource management. “It moves us closer to the day when each patient will have his or her own electronic health record that can be accessed by the healthcare provider treating that patient, no matter where that healthcare provider is located.” 

For example, if the patient of a physician or hospital located across town or even across the country seeks care from a CHP physician or hospital that has gone live with Care Everywhere, staff there can confirm that the patient has given consent for access to his/her electronic health record (view-only access). As long as the patient’s healthcare provider back home also uses the Epic electronic health record system and Care Everywhere, the relevant portions of the record can be viewed. 

“Patients want their doctors to have all the information needed to care for them, and Care Everywhere is a tool which helps fulfill the need,” says Stephen Beck, M.D., CHP’s chief medical information officer. 

Previously, patient records had to be faxed, e-mailed or mailed, which was time-consuming and less secure. “Now, with Care Everywhere,” Dr. Beck says, “a provider can access the same information in minutes versus what used to be hours or days.” 

Clinicians gain rapid access to the information they need to provide proper treatment, including information on allergies, medications, recent lab and x-ray results, and visit notes. With this information, clinicians can avoid repeating tests patients have already completed elsewhere, which clearly benefits patients and also saves healthcare dollars. 

CHP is the largest healthcare organization in the state of Ohio to go live with Care Everywhere, with nine of its 24 hospitals and all of its employed ambulatory physicians currently using the software. The remaining CHP hospitals will go live with Care Everywhere once they implement the Epic electronic health record system. 

About Catholic Health Partners

Catholic Health Partners is the largest health system in Ohio and one of the top health systems in the nation for quality and efficiency as rated by Thomson Reuters. With $5.1 billion in assets, CHP operates more than 100 health facilities, including 24 hospitals, 15 senior living communities, five hospice programs, eight home health agencies, and a health insurance plan. Its hospitals operate as Mercy, Mercy Health, Mercy Health Partners, Humility of Mary Health Partners, St. Rita's Health Partners, and Community Mercy Health Partners. CHP provided $365.1 million in community benefit services in 2010.

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