Smooth Transition for New EPIC Electronic Heath Record Offering the Advantages of MyChart
We transitioned to the new EPIC Electronic Health Record three weeks ago, on June 14, after an entire year of preparation by the staff, with the help of the University of Iowa Health Care team. Patients and visitors are already seeing the advantages of this new system, especially the MyChart patient portal.
Patients may now sign-up for a MyChart account at their next appointment to either of the clinics or hospital. Staff are available to help with the set-up process, or patients are invited to sign-up on their own, after receiving the link that is sent by hospital and clinics.
MyChart offers the following advantages:
- Holds all of a patient’s health information in ONE place.
- Ability to share a medical record safely and securely.
- Health record is available to providers at other health facilities.
- Ability to schedule appointments.
- Ability to request prescription refills.
- Faster access to test results.
- Ability to review notes from a medical provider appointment to review for anything that may have been missed.
- Ability to connect with the medical provider no matter where the patient is.
- Take care of children and other family members-all from one account.
ALL patients, even if returning for regular therapy multiple times per week, do need to check in at the reception desk upon entering the hospital so insurance cards can be scanned in and to enter all information into each patient’s account since this system is brand new. This process does take a few minutes the first time a patient checks into the new system. The hospital and clinics appreciates the understanding they have received from their patients as they undergo this transition.
Patients returning for regular care multiple times, such as therapies and infusion services, do need to check in with the receptionist each time for each appointment. However, after the initial appointment and information sharing, this check-in is much quicker.
Many individuals already have a MyChart account from other health care facilities. Veterans Memorial Hospital staff can help direct patients on how to link their current account with the Veterans Memorial Hospital MyChart portal.
