UAB Health System to invest in new EHR platform

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees unanimously approved plans on Sept. 25, 2024, for the UAB Health System to transition to a new electronic health record platform, EPIC, for electronic health records, revenue cycle and clinical research functions.

"This decision was made after extensive review and will allow for efficiencies of cost, scale and operations that benefit patients and employees/associates," said UAB Health System CEO Dawn Bulgarella, who also serves as CEO of the UAB Ascension St. Vincent's Alliance.

Adoption of this system and its integration across UAB Health System entities - including the soon to be acquired St. Vincent's - will streamline processes for care providers, administrators and support staff and allow patients' medical records to follow them seamlessly among UAB entities. Patients' data will be accessible across the UAB Health System, regardless of where they are treated, and scheduling will be improved, among many other benefits.

Full implementation of the platform and training across all entities is expected to be completed in phases in less than two and a half years, and employees will receive details and updates regarding their area of operation as the implementation timeline is finalized, as well as training on the new system.

In an ever-changing healthcare landscape, investing in and deploying a single EHR will bolster the UAB Health System's commitment to providing high-quality and efficient healthcare while further supporting our mission in caring for the citizens of Alabama.

The UA System Board of Trustees approved the approximately $380 million project budget to cover implementation, some components of labor and operations for seven years.