The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has launched an electronic health records (EHR) system across its 13 state-operated health facilities. The rollout was marked at Cherry Hospital, where officials highlighted the system’s expected benefits for patient care, staff workflows, and data security. The system, powered by Epic, went live earlier this month.
According to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the EHR system is designed to give providers secure access to patient information, reduce repeated testing, and minimize delays in care. The department also noted that the system should decrease the time staff spend on paperwork, allowing for more direct patient care.
Cherry Hospital CEO Timothy Miller stated in the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services release that the adoption of EHR technology is expected to improve communication among care teams and strengthen the hospital’s ability to provide psychiatric services.
Senator Jim Burgin, who has long advocated for electronic health records in state psychiatric hospitals, supported the initiative, citing its role in improving continuity and quality of care.
The EHR system also includes the MyChart online portal, which gives patients age 18 and older, as well as legal guardians, the ability to access their health information. Through the portal, patients can review test results, track medications, and view their records from multiple healthcare organizations.
