Case Study
Epic Community Connect Implementation Transforms Operations
- Customer: Washington County Hospital and Clinics
- Challenge: Implement new Epic EHR as a Community Connect partner.
Results
- Successful Epic implementation, on time and within budget
- All departments across four locations live on Epic
- Effective training program for clinicians and staff
- Cumulative charge variance six months post go-live was 112.7%
Our Epic implementation has fundamentally transformed our operations. The introduction of a new electronic health record, coupled with a fresh training model, has enhanced patient care, streamlined workflows, and increased system interoperability. Tegria’s partnership was essential to our success.
TODD PATTERSONCEO, Washington County Hospital and Clinics
Background and Challenge
Washington County Hospital and Clinics (WCHC), a 22-bed, critical access hospital in rural southeast Iowa, received a $753,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to enhance patient care by installing Epic’s electronic health record (EHR). They needed to consolidate disparate medical records systems and improve interoperability with other local healthcare organizations.
WCHC leadership engaged Tegria to help them select a Community Connect partner and support their Epic implementation, including development of a training program and establishment of an Epic governance structure and post-live revenue cycle priorities.
Solution
A Tegria program manager and experts in clinical operations readiness and revenue cycle operations readiness worked alongside WCHC staff for a year to successfully implement Epic. They facilitated crucial decision-making processes at the organizational level and empowered WCHC to self-advocate as a Community Connect partner to ensure operational readiness for the transition.
The Tegria team managed mapping of workflows for all systems, selection and integration of third-party vendors, and development of a highly effective Epic training program for clinicians and staff. Meticulous planning for go-live also included establishing an Epic governance structure that laid a strong foundation for operational efficiency and advising on post-live revenue cycle priorities.
Results
“The success of our Epic implementation exceeded expectations—completed on-time and within budget. The project was a testament to Tegria’s exceptional organization and partnership,” said Todd Patterson, WCHC CEO. “Regular meetings and detailed status reports kept us on track and fully informed every step of the way. This level of precision and transparency was pivotal in achieving our goals.”
Results of the engagement included:
- Successful Epic implementation, on time and within budget
- All departments across the health system’s four locations live on Epic
- Effective training program for clinicians and staff eased adoption
- Cumulative charge variance six months post go-live was 112.7% (better than the top quartile benchmark)