Albany Medical Center Launches New Electronic Medical Record
Albany Medical Center has launched a new electronic medical record (EMR) that will enhance the delivery of care, elevate the patient experience, and improve access to patient information.
Albany Medical Center’s transition to the Epic EMR is the first step toward unifying all hospitals within the Albany Med Health System under a singular platform to create a more seamless continuity of care and make it easier for patients to access services no matter which System location they visit. The new EMR platform, which went live on Saturday, March 2, connects patient records for inpatient and outpatient services, scheduling, registration, and billing throughout Albany Medical Center Hospital, its practices, and EmUrgentCare locations.
The launch also includes the MyChart patient portal. MyChart gives patients secure online access to their records and allows them to easily manage appointments, view test and lab results, request prescription refills, pay bills, message their doctor, and more. MyChart replaces the former myAlbanyMed portal. Patients have been notified of the changeover and can sign up for MyChart at albanymed.org/mychart.
“An electronic medical record is the neural network of a hospital and having a single, unified platform that spans across the Albany Med Health System will connect our services like never before and bring the quality of care we deliver to the next level,” said Albany Med Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis P. McKenna, MD. “Epic is a robust tool that will offer patients a more seamless care experience and enable our clinical teams to better collaborate, share information, and deliver the most informed care possible. This project has been years in the making, and it’s incredible to see the hard work of so much of our staff come to fruition.”
The new medical record platform, Epic, is widely used by health care organizations nationwide. Albany Medical Center health care staff can view and share patient information in a way that is more secure and efficient, ensuring that providers have all the information they need to make the most informed patient care decisions. Epic has also enabled the Albany Med Health System to align patient billing processes, including payments, financial aid, and insurance updates.
The second phase of the Albany Med Health System’s Epic launch occurs in September, when Columbia Memorial Health, Glens Falls Hospital, and Saratoga Hospital will join the Epic platform. When all locations are under a single EMR, the Albany Med Health System will be able to better coordinate services and care. Clinical staff throughout the health system will have easy and instant access to a patient’s data no matter where that patient seeks care, with MyChart as the single platform for patients to connect with care teams.