Transition to Epic electronic medical record system is latest milestone for Milford Campus of Bridgeport Hospital

Michael Ivy, MD, Bridgeport Hospital interim president and CEO, with other officials looking on, flips a ceremonial switch to mark the activation of the Epic electronic medical record system at the Milford Campus of Bridgeport Hospital.

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MILFORD, CT (Oct. 1, 2019) – On Sept. 27, the Milford Campus of Bridgeport Hospital successfully transitioned to the Epic electronic medical record (EMR) system, the same one used for at least the last six years by other Yale New Haven Health hospitals, outpatient facilities and affiliated physicians’ offices, providing for the safe, secure sharing of medical records and other information, including X-rays and test results, with patients and their physicians at multiple sites.

“The launch of Epic at our Milford Campus is the first of many transformational efforts that will put us at the forefront of care delivery,” said Gina Calder, Milford Campus administrator. “From admission to bedside care to maintaining an accurate medical record and keeping our patients connected and engaged, Epic provides a tool that supports our ability to advance high quality, safe and truly patient-centered care every day.”

Epic is known as the most comprehensive electronic medical record and is utilized by leading health care providers across the country. It allows for improved provider-to-provider communication, enhanced care coordination and decision making as well as the secure sharing of patient health information. Milford Campus staff and patients will benefit from standardized clinical work flows and greater efficiencies in the delivery of patient centered care.

Staff and physicians at the Milford Campus are excited about the benefits and efficiencies associated with Epic. “I’ve been here for 25 years, from house doctor to attending cardiologist,” said Edward Tuohy, MD. “When I started we had paper charts, each hospital with a different EMR. Now, we all have one system and one set of information. If you want to take better care of patients, it’s all about having the information at your fingertips – test results, medication lists, images. Physicians will be able to view images from our offices or another hospital within five minutes after the test. That leads to better quality and reduces the risk of mistakes.”

Patients with up-to-date and complete electronic health records within Epic will benefit from the continuum of care among their providers. Also available through Epic is a new patient portal, MyChart. My Chart is an easy-to-use system through which patients can access portions of their medical records, manage appointments and correspond non-urgently with their providers.

“A lot has been accomplished since the integration of the former Milford Hospital into Bridgeport Hospital on June 9,” said Michael Ivy, MD, interim president and CEO of Bridgeport Hospital. “It is important that we celebrate and recognize the people who have put in an enormous amount of work to get the Milford Campus ready for the launch of Epic, which will help us build clinical programs across the campus, recruit the best employees and create a superior patient experience that exceeds patient and family expectations.”