Community Health Center of Fort Dodge Implements New Electronic Health Record System, Enhancing Care and Connectivity
– Community Health Center of Fort Dodge is transitioning to a new electronic health record system called Epic.
– The transition will improve patient access to health information and support an integrated care system across multiple locations.
The Community Health Center of Fort Dodge is taking a significant step in enhancing its care and connectivity by implementing a new electronic health record system. The transition to the Epic system will allow the health center to improve how it provides care, reduce costs, and connect to an integrated network of community health centers. This transition will take place at all four of the health center’s locations in Fort Dodge, Dayton, Eagle Grove, and Mason City.
The move to the Epic system is part of a nearly statewide collaboration and a new unique national model. By sharing data and resources with other community health centers in Iowa, this transition will amplify the collective impact of these centers and support an integrated care system.
According to Renae Kruckenberg, CEO of the health center, this transition has been a significant undertaking that required commitment and dedication from staff members across various departments. Training and preparation for the new system have been ongoing for months.
One of the key benefits of the new system is improved patient access to health information. With Epic, patients will have significantly enhanced access to their health information and the ability to connect with their care teams. This empowerment of patients allows them to play an active role in their care.
Internally, the new system will bring all teams within the health center onto the same platform. Currently, medical and behavioral health teams work on one platform while the dental team uses another. The transition to Epic will streamline internal processes and improve collaboration among different departments.
The implementation of this new electronic health record system is managed by INConcertCare, a sister organization of the Iowa Primary Care Association, in collaboration with OCHIN, a nonprofit leader in equitable healthcare innovation.
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