MyMichigan Sault introduces new communication system to upgrade patient care
SAULT STE. MARIE — MyMichigan Medical Center Sault is investing $10 million into a project to upgrade patient care.
According to hospital officials, the project will introduce a new communication system, Epic, to transfer medical records and provide streamlined care. Epic is the largest existing medical records system and is in use by many other medical centers.
The new system includes new updated equipment and will integrate MyMichigan operations in the Upper Peninsula with other MyMichigan programs across the state. MyMichigan Health leaders emphasized that this is not just a software project, but a complete transformation in the way patient care is delivered.
This will make it so medical records can be shared across hospitals, providers and facilities so that patients will more easily be able to transition from facility to facility.
Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our content
Since early 2023, hospital employees have been training in the system. More than 100 experts from across the state will be coming to the Sault for the launch of the program to help the transition.
“An essential part of this process has been for us to evaluate all of our workflows, compare them to industry best practices and make improvements,” said Vice President of Medical Affairs Paula Rechner. “It’s been an opportunity to think differently about how we work, to design our tools and processes around what patients and their families need and to improve our internal productivity and satisfaction. As just one example, this project enhances our telemedicine capabilities to bring highly specialized experts right to our patient’s bedside or doorstep while saving them many hours of travel.”
Hospital officials said the new portal also allows for patients to make accounts where they can self-schedule appointments, view their medical records and test results, refill prescriptions, talk to their provider and more. Patients with existing accounts in the current MyMichigan system will be able to transition accounts to the new system with the same account.
The new system goes into place on April 6.
— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: MyMichigan Medical Center Sault adopts Epic medical record system
