Allentown, PA-based Lehigh Valley Health Network will spend $200 million to implement Epic’s EHR system over the next four to six years, The Morning Call reports. The Epic implementation will start with the networks outpatient offices on Feb. 18, comprising more than 200 sites. The $200M price tag covers Epic’s EHR software, hardware, data conversation and project team personnel to support the roll out. The new Epic system will replace more than two dozen existing legacy systems including GE Centricity.
“What Epic brings to the party is a single database, a single repository of information,” LVHN Chief Information Officer Harry Lukens said. “It’s going to be a transformational change.”
Once the network’s hospitals, advanced intensive care units and other inpatient care facilities go live on Epic, all of the patient’s information will be on a single EHR — and the patient will be able to access that record via a secure website. Patients will able to view their medical test results, schedule appointments and pay bills using a smartphone, tablet or laptop. The Verona, Wis.-based EHR leader was recently named 2014 Best in KLAS for Best Overall Software Suite and the Best Overall Physician Practice Vendor.
