International Falls, Minn.-based Rainy Lake Medical Center partnered with Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota to gain access to the health system's Epic EHR, according to International Falls Journal.
Through the affiliation agreement, RLMC will remain an independent healthcare provider but will gain access to Sanford Health's Epic EHR system as well as the health system's information technology support. Sanford Health's headquarters are in Sioux Falls, S.D.
RLMC facilities will begin transitioning to Epic over the next year, and once the system is installed, RLMC patients will also gain access to its MyChart patient portal to view their health records, test results and message providers, among other functions.
"The implementation of Epic will move us to the most widely used and advanced integrated EHR," RLMC CEO Robert Pastor said, according to the report. "This means that regardless where a patient may access care across our health systems, their comprehensive medical record will be available to their providers, nurses and other health professionals."
Sanford Health comprises 44 hospitals and is home to 1,400 physicians around the country.