Grant Memorial Hospital is the latest West Virginia University Medicine facility to benefit from an enterprise technology transition. After several months of preparation, the hospital and associated clinics successfully went live on Nov. 1 with Epic and WorkDay, the anchor software platforms of a 40-application implementation.
The transition includes a state-of-the-art infrastructure and hardware overhaul to support the multiple software transitions. The Epic technology promotes continuity of care for patients within the community and throughout the healthcare system, while the WorkDay platform offers top-of-the-line software for human resources, finance, and supply chain.
Epic, the new electronic medical record now at GMH, will provide many benefits, including improved quality of patient care, one integrated medical record across all health system operations with physicians who have access to Epic being able to view health data from the hospital and MyWVUChart patient portal, which will allow patients in-depth, more convenient access to their medical records
GMH promoted a theme of “Our Epic Adventure – the Best View Comes After the Climb” and has reached the top.
While the technical implementation has been refined to a repeatable and scalable process, operations and staff undergo a significant change during the transition. Grant staff embraced the engagement catapulting the project successfully across the finish line. They celebrated with Rocky, their mascot, themed t-shirts, make one’s own trail mix treats, a chocolate fountain, ice cream sundaes, muffins provided by the hospital’s auxiliary, and many other activities to keep staff motivated.
Elaine Geroski, assistant vice president of patient services, GMH, said the information technology team was “a fine oiled machine.” Melissa Williams, Grant IT team member, said that she had been part of several go-lives but never one as successful as this one.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure the transition to Epic is seamless for patients,” John Sylvia, president and chief executive officer of GMH, added. “Thank you, in advance, for your patience and support as we strive to keep Grant Memorial Hospital at the forefront of health information technology.”
