Good News Clinics (GNC) is one step closer to improving care for patients in need by implementing an electronic health records system, thanks to $100,000 in funding from the R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation through The Medical Center Foundation (TMCF).
Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) installed Epic as its electronic health record in October 2017, uniting many services and locations on one system. GNC’s transition to Epic will take the current cumbersome, time-consuming process of faxing physician orders and medical histories and replace it with quick, electronic referrals between community partners who will have easy, shared access to a patient’s record. The cost of this collaborative project between NGHS and GNC is $1 million and will be 100 percent funded through the philanthropic efforts of TMCF.
“Implementing Epic at GNC will result in increased patient safety, reduced health costs and the elimination of unnecessary, duplicate services,” said Liz Coates, executive director of GNC. “This will ultimately lead to better care coordination and enhanced efficiency which will improve health outcomes for some of our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Established in 1992, GNC serves a critical role in the continuum of health care by providing medical and dental care to uninsured residents of Hall County who have a family income within 150 percent of the federal poverty level.
“NGHS has celebrated impressive improvements in patient care delivery and coordination since transitioning to Epic,” said Chris Bray, president and chief operating officer for TMCF. “We look forward to experiencing the ways this software will enhance patient care at GNC and help them fulfill the vital role they play in our community. We are excited about the R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation gift and the growing family of donors who help make projects like Epic at GNC come to life.”
Gifts to TMCF support community health initiatives and allow NGHS to provide the latest medical treatments and end-of-life care, as well as support access to care for all patients – regardless of their ability to pay.
To learn more about TMCF, visit TheMedicalCenterFoundation.org.