Alameda Health System Board of Trustees Approves Implementation of
Electronic Health Record System Project
Epic EHR system provides transparency of patient records among providers;
empowers patients to become active participants in their own health
Oakland, Calif. — Jan. 25, 2018 — The Alameda Health System Board of Trustees today approved implementation of a $200 million electronic health record project that will enhance care across the system, increase coordination of care, and improve the patient care experience.
“Approval of the project, one of the most significant investments made by Alameda Health System, illustrates the Board’s commitment to promoting high-quality access to affordable care for all communities in Alameda County,” said Delvecchio Finley, CEO, Alameda Health System. “As patients gain greater access to their medical records, health information and more convenient service through this system, they will be empowered to manage their own care, ultimately becoming champions of their health and wellness.”
The fully-integrated Epic EHR system will transform care delivery by providing more timely and complete patient information across all facilities, which will result in better clinical decisions, fewer medical errors or duplications, and more efficient care delivery.
“This is a major milestone for Alameda Health System,” said Michele Lawrence, president, AHS Board of Trustees. “We unanimously approved this project because it will tremendously help AHS address health disparities and ensure that all patients, regardless of their income, will receive quality care that is second to none.”
Features of the new system include the ability of medical staff to access patient and clinical information in real time; increased visibility into lab/test results for patients and providers to eliminate duplication; automatic alerts to warn of allergies to medications, and ability to share information with providers across and outside the system.
“Seamlessly sharing information will increase collaboration among providers and improve the quality and safety of care as well as the patient experience,” said Dr. Ghassan Jamaleddine, AHS chief medical officer. “Providing the medical staff with the best tool to document and access health care information, including diagnosis by other providers, lab results, prescriptions and digitally stored X-rays will ensure greater health outcomes and reduce costs.”
About Alameda Health System
Alameda Health System (AHS), headquartered in Oakland, Calif., is a leading public health care provider and medical training institution recognized for its world-class patient and family-centered system of care. Our mission, Caring, Healing, Teaching, Serving All, reflects our commitment to promoting wellness, eliminating disparities and optimizing the health of all communities in Alameda County. We currently provide more than 4,500 jobs and are home to more than 1,100 physicians across nine facilities, including five hospitals and a network of community-based wellness centers. For more information, visit AlamedaHealthSystem.org.