IHS chooses Oracle Cerner, General Dynamics for new EHR system
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced this week that the Indian Health Service has chosen to replace its existing 40-year-old patient records system with new technology developed and deployed by Oracle and General Dynamics.
WHY IT MATTERS
HHS has chosen General Dynamics Information Technology will build, configure and maintain a new electronic health record system for IHS based on Oracle Cerner technology, the agency said.
The new EPD will replace IHS’s decades-old EPD Resource and patient management systemwhich is based on VistA’s proprietary technology and is used for tasks in the healthcare system, from intake and patient registration to insurance billing.
This updated system modernizes IHS’ healthcare delivery and operations, making it easier for patients and healthcare providers to access updated and accurate information when they need it.
IHS made the selection following a “detailed and rigorous” acquisition process that was open to all suppliers, and coordinated with tribal and urban Indian organizational partners throughout the process – involving participation in listening sessions and advisory committee meetings as the tribal, urban Indian and IHS system involved users in supplier product demonstrations.
The 10-year, $2.5 billion IHS Health Information Technology Modernization Program with General Dynamics and Oracle Cerner is intended to help the healthcare industry “improve patient safety and outcomes, clinical quality measures, agency performance reporting, and disease management,” according to IHS, while enabling accurate and full insurance reimbursement.
These improvements will be largely due to increased accessibility of secure data across the enterprise for physicians, patients, payers and other partners.
“This is an important milestone in our work to provide modern, high-quality health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives,” IHS Director Roselyn Tso said in a statement. “With the new EHR system, patients will have better access to their own health information, providers can more effectively coordinate patient care within and outside our network, and we can better monitor the health of tribal communities overall.”
THE BIG TREND
The IHS provides a comprehensive health care system for approximately 2.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, who belong to 574 federally recognized tribes in 37 states.
In choosing Oracle Cerner for its new EHR, it is opting to move forward with technology similar to that of other major federal agencies, including the Defense Health Agency and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which hopes to get back on track soon to keep up with the recently renegotiated EHR modernization efforts.
ON THE RECORD
“We are ready and eager to move forward with the enterprise EHR together with our partners,” said Mitchell Thornbrugh, Chief Information Officer and director of the Office of Information Technology at IHS. “It is time to replace our current system and ensure that IHS keeps pace with technological advancements in the healthcare system.
“This modernization – and the technology that powers it – will impact every part of our healthcare system,” he added. “Most importantly, the new EHR will enable patients and their caregivers to have timely and accurate information to make the best healthcare decisions.”
Mike Miliard is editor-in-chief of Healthcare IT News
Email the writer: mike.miliard@himssmedia.com
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS publication.