Cottonwood, Idaho-based St. Mary’s Health and Orofino, Idaho-based Clearwater Valley Health are transitioning to a Meditech EHR.
Here are five things to know:
1. The two critical access hospitals picked Meditech in August to connect to their parent health system, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho-based Kootenai Health.
2. The hospitals will start going live with Meditech Expanse the first week of August, according to a June news release. Patients may need to provide medication and allergy lists and fill out first-of-the-year paperwork to build their new profiles.
3. From mid-June to Aug. 1, staff will be training on the new EHR. Patients may experience longer-than-usual wait times, particularly for wellness visits and specialty services like radiology and surgery. Fewer front desk staffers will be available, slowing check-in times.
4. Patients will need to create accounts for the new patient portal.
5. “While we anticipate some temporary delays and adjustments during the first few weeks, we’re confident that this upgrade will significantly improve your healthcare experience in the long run,” the hospitals stated. “The enhanced coordination between your clinic and hospital care, reduced paperwork, and improved digital access will make managing your health more convenient and effective.”
