SMH invests $160 million in new electronic records system

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System has announced plans to replace its electronic health records (EHR) systems with a single, integrated platform by industry leader Epic. When fully implemented over the next two years, the new platform will replace multiple standalone and ancillary systems, streamline processes for care providers and provide tools to optimize the delivery of patient care.

The total investment in the new technology is $160 million.

According to a news release, Epic will allow the seamless exchange of patients’ health information using one EHR platform across all Sarasota Memorial providers and facilities, providing care teams with the ability to better coordinate patient care regardless of location. Epic’s technology includes artificial intelligence and predictive modeling to provide clinicians with timely insights to enhance care.

“This investment represents a significant step we are taking to ensure our patients receive the best care possible now and well into the future,” said Sarasota Memorial Health Care System CEO David Verinder in the release. “Epic’s secure, patient-focused platform has become the top-ranked EHR system used by health care organizations across the nation.”

Patients will notice changes including My Chart, a patient portal that will provide improved access to their complete medical record in one location and securely exchange information with their care teams.