New medical record platform connects all Albany Med hospitals, outpatient locations

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- All hospitals and outpatient locations in the Albany Medical Health System are now connected through an electronic medical record (EMR) system, Epic, the hospital announced Monday. The shared portal will unify patient records and introduce a method where patients can easily access their health information.

Epic allows clinicians to better coordinate services and keep up-to-date records, according to the hospital. The platform also allows patients to access their own records, schedule or register for appointments and see their billing and payment options at all System hospitals, outpatient locations and urgent care facilities.

"For a hospital, the electronic medical record is the source of truth for patent information," said Albany Med Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis P. McKenna, MD. "Unifying this platform at each of our locations elevates and enhances the way we deliver care as the Capital Region’s largest health system. Patients will have a more seamless experience visiting one our specialists or receiving emergency care. Our incredible team of experts can easily collaborate and share information to get the whole picture of a patient’s journey within the System."

The hospitals, Columbia Memorial Health, Glens Falls Hospital, and Saratoga Hospital, began using the new platform on Monday, Nov. 2, about seven months after the platform went live at Albany Medical Center in March. With the transition, the Albany Med Health System has also expanded its patient portal, MyChart, to the same facilities.

MyChart will give patients the opportunity to have secured online access to their records, to schedule appointments, to view test results and refill their prescriptions. Patients can sign up for MyChart at albanymed.org/mychart.

"Our transition to Epic has been more than two years in the making," McKenna said. "Thousands of employees have spent countless hours building this platform, testing it, training on it, and ensuring it’s where it needs to be to heighten the experience of our patients and support our staff in providing the best, most informed care possible."