Care Everywhere Improves Care through Sharing of Medical Information
ThedaCare patients who need to see a medical provider out of town can now have their physicians easily send their electronic medical records to the other clinic or hospital as part of Epic’s Care Everywhere program.
With Care Everywhere, all healthcare systems using Epic medical record systems can easily access each other’s records once patients give their approval. In addition to ThedaCare, there are hundreds of other healthcare systems nationally using Care Everywhere, including Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Gundersen Health System, Aspirus System, Bellin Health, University of Wisconsin clinics and hospitals, and soon Community Health Network, Wild Rose Community Memorial Hospital, and the Menominee Tribal Clinic.
Andrew Collins, MD, a family doctor at ThedaCare Physicians-Oshkosh, used Care Everywhere in its pilot phase and said it’s a great tool for physicians since they can easily access medical records. He said seeing medical records is important if a patient cannot remember a prescription dosage or if a physician wants to see the results of recent medical tests.
“Care Everywhere is without a doubt the quickest way to get records from other Epic-using organizations,” Dr. Collins said. “Just search for the organization, have the patient sign a release for you to view the records, and then pick what you want to see. There’s no need for phone calls or faxes and, most importantly, no waiting.”
Epic is a Verona, Wis.-based company that builds electronic medical record systems. All ThedaCare facilities use Epic and Care Everywhere connects Epic records at different locations. There are security measures built in the system and entry is made in a patient’s record if another health system requests his or her records.
“We’re a mobile society and if you’re in La Crosse and you get sick or get injured, you can go to the local hospital and they can call up your records from our clinic to see medications and any allergies. It allows for improved care,” Dr. Collins said.
ThedaCare™ is a community health system consisting of five hospitals: Appleton Medical Center, Theda Clark Medical Center, New London Family Medical Center, Shawano Medical Center, and Riverside Medical Center in Waupaca. ThedaCare also includes ThedaCare Physicians, ThedaCare Behavioral Health, ThedaCare At Work, and ThedaCare at Home. ThedaCare is one of the largest employers in Northeast Wisconsin with more than 6,175 employees. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
