Novant Health, a not-for-profit healthcare system serving North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina, will partner with Epic Systems to develop a comprehensive practice management and electronic health record (EHR) system for its 13 hospitals. Implementation of the EHR - a strategic priority for Novant Health - will create a single patient record across all Novant facilities while transforming and simplifying Novant's current methods of health information exchange.

"This news is truly a milestone for Novant Health," said Stephen Wallenhaupt, MD, chief medical officer for Novant. "The integrated EHR project represents the most extensive initiative in the history of our health system."

The selection of an electronic health record system for Novant Health's hospitals follows Novant Medical Group's ongoing success using Epic Systems to transition over 360 clinic locations in waves. Since July, the medical group has converted 192 primary care and specialty clinics from paper records to electronic ambulatory technology.

"By selecting Epic Systems as Novant Health's acute care software provider, we are continuing our efforts to bring innovative, quality care to the communities we serve," said Dr. Wallenhaupt. "Epic's proven experience and patient-centered philosophy in the field of healthcare technology made them a natural selection for our organization."

Converting from paper records to a fully-integrated electronic health record is the single, most expensive project Novant Health has undertook in its history. The estimated cost to convert all hospitals and physician clinics is $600 to $700 million over a five-year period. The hospital EHR implementation project is slated to begin in January 2012 and will continue through mid-2015.

Patient benefits include email reminders for screenings and preventative care, improved billing accuracy and the ability to email physicians directly and securely. Additional online features, such as prescription renewals, lab results and appointment scheduling, will make accessing medical information convenient. Most importantly, a single health record will provide physicians access to information about patients more comprehensively whether they are in the emergency department or the physician practice. This will allow physicians to provide faster and safer care.

Epic Systems is a nationally-recognized software provider based in Madison, WI.