Epic MyChart
We’re proud to announce, our electronic medical records (EMR) system will transition from Meditech to Epic MyChart, hosted by UnityPoint Health, on September 21, 2025. Our organization’s journey to Epic has been transformative and we are well prepared and excited to implement new tools that will help better serve our communities. Learn more about what this transition means and what changes to expect moving forward. We ask for your patience and understanding as our staff learns and adapts to new workflows and new ways of providing the best possible patient care.
Why are we changing Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems?
Hammond-Henry Hospital has utilized its current EMR software since 1999. Over time, technological advancements and regulatory requirements in the healthcare industry have demanded more from EMR systems. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear the existing EMR no longer meets the needs of the organization, nor does it meet the needs of the patients we serve.
Why was Epic selected as the new EMR?
EMR systems are a major investment — the decision to move to Epic was not made spontaneously. Over the course of a year, several top EMR companies were researched and compared to ensure we committed to a system we could trust to meet our needs now and help us reach our goals for the future. Representatives across all departments had opportunities to participate in product demonstrations, ask questions, and provide feedback on what they did and didn’t like about each system considered. Ultimately, Epic was the system we chose.
Will Hammond-Henry clinics change to Epic too?
Yes, Hammond-Henry Hospital and its family practice and walk-in clinics will move to Epic.
What does “hosted by UnityPoint Health” mean?
The Hammond-Henry Epic system is being configured, implemented, and maintained by the UnityPoint Health Epic Community Connect program.
Why does the Hammond-Henry Hospital Epic system need to be hosted by another organization?
Epic is used by some of the largest hospital organizations in the country. These vast networks of hospitals have extensive teams of technical support staff and other resources needed to implement and maintain the highly complex systems and interfaces of Epic. Small critical access hospitals such as Hammond-Henry lack these resources. So, to accommodate small hospitals, Epic has developed a program called Epic Community Connect. This program allows larger organizations to host Epic for a sub-network of smaller hospitals. The UnityPoint Health Epic Community Connect program is the largest in the country, hosting 23 hospitals, 78 hospital-owned clinics, and five independent clinics across the Midwest.
Does this mean Hammond-Henry Hospital is now owned by or affiliated with UnityPoint Health?
No. The UnityPoint Health name and logo are embedded throughout the Epic system. So, while you can expect to see “UnityPoint Health” appearing in various places, Hammond-Henry Hospital remains the independent, critical access organization you know and trust.
Does this mean I will have a new patient portal?
Yes. The Epic patient portal is called MyChart. In MyChart, you can conveniently manage care for you and your family. MyChart allows you to:
- Communicate with your care team
- Schedule and manage appointments, including rehab appointments
- Review your medical records, such as immunization history and test results
- View after-visit summaries and clinical notes documented by your provider
Will I still be able to access records from my Meditech patient portal?
Yes. Hammond-Henry will continue to offer access to the Meditech patient portal. Please note this will no longer be updated after Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. Services provided prior to Sept. 21 will remain available in this legacy portal. After Sept. 21, all new information will be stored in the Epic MyChart portal. Historical information from your Meditech portal will not transfer into your new Epic MyChart.
What changes can I expect to see on my medical bills?
Hammond-Henry Hospital will continue to contract with the same insurance plans and bill for service independently. We will continue to work with Magnet Solutions for payment plans and self-pay.
How will the EMR transition impact my experience as a patient?
Our hospital, family medicine, and walk-in care staff remain dedicated to providing an excellent patient experience. A few things that may be noticeable once we are live with Epic include the following:
Your first couple of visits may take a little longer than usual. A few weeks prior to upcoming appointments, staff will begin by transcribing patient information from the old system to the new. During your appointment, we will take some extra time to verify your information with you.
You may be asked for information that you have already provided to us in the past. For accuracy and completeness of your medical record, we will be asking questions that we have asked you before. While we will transfer key pieces of your medical record from the old system to the new, copying your entire medical record is not possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to verify and build your new medical record in Epic.
Communication between you and your care team will be improved. At the end of every visit, patients will receive an after-visit summary via the communication method of their preference. This document outlines your visit, shows any future appointments you have scheduled, and lists your current medications and any new orders or changes made. The after-visit summary also includes patient instructions from your provider, personalized care recommendations, helpful resources, and contact information. If you are not already on MyChart, your after-visit summary will also include instructions on how to enroll.