CA Org Taps Supportive Tech for Care Coordination Over Epic Systems

MarinHealth, a California-based health system, went live with APeX EHR system, the University of California San Francisco’s version of Epic Systems, to boost care coordination.

“MarinHealth and UCSF Health’s strategic alliance was formed to further improve the quality of care and patient experience for the communities we jointly serve,” Shelby Decosta, president of UCSF Health Affiliates Network, said in a press release. “We are committed to further developing clinical programs that advance our shared vision.”

“The addition of APeX at MarinHealth Medical Center establishes critical technology infrastructure that will help us in delivering exceptional patient care, while providing a secure entry point for both patients and providers that protects patients’ privacy,” Decosta continued.

The integrated platform APeX, which stands for Advancing Patient-Centered Excellence, aims to create a seamless experience throughout a patient’s care continuum, regardless of the MarinHealth facility patients visit.

“We are committed to providing high-quality care and an exceptional patient experience for our patients and communities,” said Karin Shavelson, MD, chief medical officer at MarinHealth Medical Center. “This technology helps to create a seamless experience in a patient’s entire health journey, and it helps our providers to immediately access the information they need to care for their patients. The APeX system will provide quicker access to information, which means less time looking for patient documents and more time providing care.”

Providers in both the clinic and hospital setting can gain access to patient data, which will help them make more informed decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment plans, according to the press release.

Additionally, the APeX platform is expected to support operational and clinical workflows by improving clinical outcomes, enhancing the patient experience, and reducing administrative time, MarinHealth stated.

“Having access to consolidated medical records across different clinical areas will improve care when patients are referred to various specialists or other ancillary services at all MarinHealth locations,” David Klein, MD, chief executive officer of MarinHealth Medical Center, said.

“All providers and organizations using Epic can easily exchange patient data, which will greatly improve patient care,” Klein added. “Providers also will have the ability to coordinate care with doctors outside of MarinHealth who serve their patients and their families, closing care gaps and reducing duplication. This integrated system furthers the MarinHealth mission to be the destination for health and healing in the North Bay.”

Recently, Virginia-based Valley Health System stated will be launching a $50 million system-wide Epic EHR implementation project.

The nearly 16-month project, Project Elevate, will allow the health system to implement a customized and more robust version of Epic.

Project Elevate will offer greater flexibility and independence as this upgraded system will be managed exclusively by Valley Health, the organization said.