Partnership Involves Full Transition of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) to Epic Systems Electronic Health Records (EHR)

RICHMOND, Va. -- Bon Secours Richmond Health System announced today that it has selected Wound Care Advantage (WCA) to provide service line support and consulting as it transitions three wound care programs from outside management to an internal, system-driven model. WCA will also assist Bon Secours as it eliminates additional Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and paves the way toward single Epic Systems Electronic Health Records (EHRs) system-wide. Bon Secours Richmond Health System currently maintains off-campus wound centers at three facilities: Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, Va., Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center in Midlothian, Va., and Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, Va.

The need for specialized wound care in Richmond and across the country continues to increase. Current data shows that more than 6.5 million Americans suffer from problem wounds, often stemming from diabetes and related vascular disorders. If not treated properly, diabetic foot or leg ulcers can become infected and may lead to amputation. The mortality rate for amputees within five years is more than 60 percent.*

“This partnership signals a big shift in the way wound care programs are being managed,” said Mike Comer, CEO of Wound Care Advantage. “We’re moving wound care operations away from an external management company and putting it back into the hands of the hospital system, providing the expertise that most hospital systems are missing. We’re also helping Bon Secours streamline wound center record-keeping to a systemwide Epic EHR for greater internal efficiencies.”

The wound care programs at Bon Secours are staffed with a unique team of highly trained medical and nursing specialists who are dedicated to treating non-healing wounds with the most up-to-date treatments and technologies available. WCA will offer expert consulting and support services throughout the transition.

Epic Systems’ EHR is widely known within the healthcare industry. The company reports that more than 190 million patients have a current electronic record in Epic, and the majority of U.S. News & World Report’s top-ranked hospitals and medical schools use Epic Systems software.

“Bon Secours looks forward to integrating and unifying our wound care programs to a more self-directed approach and transitioning to the Epic Systems EHR for our wound care service line,” said Sean McCleary, administrative director of clinical services. “These changes will allow us to improve operational efficiencies and better coordinate patient care.”

About Bon Secours Richmond Health System

Bon Secours Richmond is part of Bon Secours Virginia, which provides compassionate medical care to thousands of Virginians through a network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, ambulatory care sites and continuing care facilities across the Commonwealth. The fourth largest and only faith-based health system in Virginia, Bon Secours Richmond is a Catholic health ministry that partners with the community to create a more humane world, build health and social justice and serve those who are vulnerable. Bon Secours Richmond provides nearly $130 million in community care through Medicare, Medicaid, charity care and other community benefits. As one of Richmond’s largest employers, the not-for-profit health system employs more than 9,000 people, including nearly 420 providers as part of the Bon Secours Medical Group. Bon Secours Richmond includes St. Mary’s Hospital, Memorial Regional Medical Center, Richmond Community Hospital, St. Francis Medical Center, Rappahannock General Hospital and Westchester Emergency Center. The Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation raises charitable funds to help Bon Secours Virginia Health System address the community’s growing health care needs with compassion and excellence.

*http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/27/7/1598

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