Sarasota Memorial Invests $160 Million in New Electronic Health Records Platform

SARASOTA, Fla. (Nov. 21, 2024) - Long regarded as a leader in information technology, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System announced plans today to replace its current electronic health records (EHR) systems with a single, integrated platform by industry leader Epic. When fully implemented over the next two years, the new platform will replace numerous standalone and ancillary systems, streamline processes for care providers and tap innovative tools to optimize the delivery of patient care.

Among other benefits, Epic will allow the seamless exchange of patients' health information using one EHR platform across all Sarasota Memorial providers and facilities. Different care teams will be able to better coordinate patient care, regardless of where the providers are located. Epic also deploys the latest tools and technology, including artificial intelligence and predictive modeling, to provide clinicians with up-to-date insights to enhance that care.

"This investment represents a significant step we are taking today to ensure our patients receive the best care possible now and well into the future," said Sarasota Memorial Health Care System CEO David Verinder. "Epic's secure, patient-focused platform has become the top-ranked EHR system used by healthcare organizations across the nation, and we look forward to the many benefits the nationally recognized system will bring to our patients and medical teams managing their care."

When fully implemented over the next two years, patients will notice exciting changes too, including My Chart, a user-friendly patient portal that will give people improved access to their complete medical record in one location and securely exchange information with their care teams.

Founded in 1925, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida's greatest breadth and depth of care, with more than 2,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 2 million patient visits a year across its network of care. Sarasota County's largest employer, the health system includes two full-service hospitals in Sarasota and Venice, a freestanding ER in North Port, and a comprehensive network of outpatient centers, urgent care clinics and physician practices that stretch from Manatee County to North Port. As the region's only public health system and not-for-profit health care provider, SMH serves as a critical safety net for the uninsured in Sarasota County. Visit smh.com for information.