CCMSD launches new records system

Crook County Medical Services District (CCMSD) is about to flip the switch on a new electronic medical records system (EMR) – a project more than a year in the making.

Please forgive any hiccups in service while the new system is implemented, says a press release from the district announcing the launch.

“At CCMSD, our mission is ‘Proudly providing high quality care, putting patients first’ and partnering with a new EMR will do just that,” states the press release.

“Taking our software into the future to maximize efficiency and patient care is just one way that we look forward to helping you in this new year and we encourage you to come visit and see the new changes for yourself.”

The Board of Trustees officially moved to replace its EMR in December, 2022, because the current one was proving a bottleneck for productivity, preventing medical providers from getting patients through the door quickly enough and requiring more administrative work than employees felt was necessary.

As described by Dr. Heith Waddell at the time, the system was causing miscommunications and keeping nurses away from patient care because they were, “bogged down by [the system] wanting to know what someone’s shoe size is”.

The EMR system was also believed to have causes serious billing issues.

Wesley Davis, DNP, led an EMR selection steering committee that included staff at all levels to figure out the best replacement for the system. Once the approval was given, the process of tailoring the system for CCMSD’s specific needs began.

Over the next year, CCMSD spent time “building and optimizing [the EMR] to better serve our community,” according to the press release.

“One of the many benefits that this new EMR offers is a real-time health system that will provide almost instantaneous data, allowing our providers to make even better care decisions and improve efficiency,” it states.

“Along with this change in our software operations comes a more robust patient portal for patients to access their health information and connect directly with their care staff.”

The new EMR goes live on March 11 with the assistance of key staff from the build.

“If you are at the facilities in March and notice a higher amount of foot traffic and some longer wait times, please be patient with us as we work out any kinks that may pop up,” states the press release.