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HIT Successfully Converts Centricity EMR to New UNIX Platform and Upgrades to Version 8, “Centricity 2005”

Over the August 21st weekend, Health Information Technology (HIT) successfully implemented a new version of the Centricity EMR application. HIT also implemented a very technically advanced platform from which to run our EMR. The new platform consists of 2 large UNIX servers and a storage area network (SAN) capable of storing 4 terabytes of data. We have designed the system to have an extremely high availability for our users.

Our new EMR platform allows MSU HealthTeam to significantly increase the number of clinics and users on Centricity EMR. It also provides users a better system performance and allows us to add additional applications like Care Manager Disease Registry, E-prescribing, Clinical Decision Support and other applications that are scheduled to be implemented over the next year.

2005 Upgrade Functionality To Be Implemented

There is additional 2005 functionality that we have not implemented when upgrading this weekend that is planned for implementation over the next two months. This includes:

1. Faxing documents out of the EMR - we will be expanding faxing capabilities from the EMR to include all documents in the EMR.

2. Chart annotation – the ability to write information directly to documents in the EMR is a function that certain specialties find valuable.

3. Flowchart labels – At an enterprise level, we have the ability to rename labels for data on flowcharts.

4. Setting problem list views to a clinic/specialty preference - This function allows users in a clinic or specialty to list problems using their preferences, and other users are not affected. This will assist with managing problem lists.

* Please note, due to some technical limitations in the 2005 upgrade software, we have postponed implementation of growth charts, the dosing calculator and the medication monogram until we implement Version 9.0 (Titan). This upgrade is being targeted for implementation by the end of 2009 / beginning of 2010.

Plans Going Forward

The Clinical Informatics Steering Committee met in August to create a strategic plan for Clinical System applications and projects. The findings from their planning session will be posted on the HIT webpage sometime in September and will include a road map of planned projects for implementation for the remainder of 2009 and 2010.