CVS Health, based in Woonsocket, R.I., will use Epic as the electronic health record (EHR) system for CVS Specialty’s care management programs.

According to a CVS press release, the transition to Epic will help integrate and improve clinical processes for CVS Specialty, including Accordant, which provides care management program services for patients with rare, chronic diseases. The announcement this week expands the company’s use of the Epic EHR system beyond MinuteClinic, which transitioned to the system in 2015.

“As the specialty pharmacy of choice for many payors and patients, we are focused on creating the most clinically advanced specialty pharmacy experience to help improve care and outcomes for our patients,” Alan Lotvin, M.D. executive vice president of CVS Specialty, said in a statement. “We are pleased to transition our care management programs onto the Epic platform, which will enable immediate information sharing with other health care providers across the patient’s entire care team. This connectivity is integral in providing the best possible, coordinated health.”

Epic’s EHR system will support CVS Specialty’s evidence-based care management programs and facilitate connectivity with health care providers nationwide that currently use Epic, including many major health systems, hospital networks and physician groups, CVS Health stated in the press release. And, the pharmacy retailer noted that Epic interoperability exchanges 1.3 million records daily with tens of thousands of organizations via various national and regional networks including hospitals, clinics and providers.

“By transitioning to the Epic EHR, we can further coordinate care across health care disciplines and settings, which promotes more effective and informed health care decision making,” Trip Hofer, president of Accordant, said in a statement.

CVS Specialty provides advanced clinical services for eligible patients who require treatment for rare or complex conditions. This includes drug therapy management, dispensing and infusion services, in addition to customized support and counseling.

Source: http://www.healthcare-informatics.com/news-item/ehr/cvs-health-selects-epic-ehr-system-its-care-management-programs