Starkville, MS — OCH Regional Medical Center will officially go live with its new electronic medical record (EMR) system on Monday, January 27, 2025.

Patients who have not recently visited the hospital or scheduled appointments at the Specialty Clinics should take note of some key updates.

This upgraded EMR system is designed to enhance the healthcare experience by providing seamless access for providers, delivering improved patient care, and ensuring better health outcomes. It consolidates multiple standalone systems into a single, secure platform.

Patients with appointments for hospital services or visits to the Specialty Clinics will need to review and update their healthcare and prescription information during check-in.

Here’s what you can expect with the new system:

  • Updated Documents: Be prepared to provide a new copy of your insurance cards and driver’s license at the reception desk.
  • Allow Extra Time: The check-in process has changed and may take longer. Arrive at least 20 minutes early for your appointment.
  • Bring Your Medications: Starting January 27, 2025, all patients should bring their current medications to appointments.
  • Health History Updates: Staff will review your medical history during registration. Clerks and team members are ready to assist you with signing into the system and adding the necessary information.
  • Patience Appreciated: Your cooperation and understanding are appreciated as staff work to ensure your information is accurately entered into the new system.
  • Accessing Medical Records: If you need medical records during this transition, contact the Medical Records Department at 662.615.2901.
  • New Patient Portal: A single portal, OCH HealtheLife is now available for patients. You can access it at och.org.

For over a year, the hospital has collaborated with Cerner Corp., a global leader in healthcare technology, to implement this modernized system.

The transition merges numerous independent systems into a unified EMR platform, streamlining a variety of processes, including billing, registration, scheduling, coding, patient care documentation, and records storage.

Key benefits of this integration include:

  • Enhanced Patient Safety: Centralized access to all patient information improves accuracy and safety.
  • Medication Reconciliation: Ensuring medications are tracked consistently as patients move through various stages of care.
  • Advanced Surveillance Tools: Enhanced monitoring tools are in place for high-risk protocols, such as sepsis, to improve patient outcomes and safety.
  • Streamlined Data Access: A unified system provides one source for clinical and hospital financial data, enabling greater efficiency and accuracy in decision-making.
  • Patient-Friendly Portal: The OCH HealtheLife Portal allows patients to securely message providers, schedule appointments, review and settle financial balances, and access their health history conveniently.

About OCH Regional Medical Center

OCH Regional Medical Center is dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare services to Starkville and the greater Golden Triangle area. With state-of-the-art facilities and a team of experienced professionals, OCH Regional Medical Center strives to deliver compassionate and comprehensive care to all patients.

For more information, please visit och.org or contact Audra Gines, the director of marketing and public relations @ agines@och.org or by calling 662.323.4320.

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