Johnson City, Tenn.-based Ballad Health plans to implement Epic's EHR technology platform.
The new health system, formed by the merger of Kingsport, Tenn.-based Wellmont Health System and Johnson City-based Mountain States Health Alliance, will deploy the Epic platform using a multiphase a pproach. Ballad Health facilities will begin to go live on the new platform starting in 2019 and it will be completely rolled out by spring 2020. Wellmont Health System implemented the Epic platform in 2014. The other hospitals will be switching over to Epic from Cerner's EHR platform.
The new EHR platform will enable secure data exchange, help streamline services and allow caregivers to interact with other providers and health systems.
Additionally, Ballad Health's board is creating a new committee that will oversee the integration of the EHR system while also developing a long-term data strategy. The committee will include Bill Spooner, former CIO of San Diego-based Sharp Healthcare, who currently serves as an advisor to health systems.