DHA Deploys MHS GENESIS to More Hospitals & Clinics
The director of the Tidewater Market, NMCP leadership and the MHS GENESIS team cut a ribbon officially marking the launch of the new Electronic Health Record System, MHS GENESIS, at NMCP and its clinics. (Credit: U.S. Navy MC2 Dylan Kinee, NMC Portsmouth)
MHS GENESIS, the Department of Defense's new electronic health record, is now in use at 75% of all military hospitals and clinics.
Late last month, the Military Health System deployed MHS GENESIS to 10 more parent military medical treatment facilities (MTFs) across six states.
Throughout 2023, MHS GENESIS will complete deployment at stateside facilities and then move to installations in the European and Indo-Pacific regions.
These latest two waves – referred to as Wave DRUMGuthrie Ambulatory Care Center at Fort Drum, NY; Keller Army Community Hospital, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY; 436th Medical Group at Dover Air Force Base, DE; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ; Naval Health Clinic New England at Naval Station Newport, RI; 66th Medical Squadron at Hanscom Air Force Base, MA; and Naval Branch Health Clinic Groton, New London, CT,Wave DRUM and Wave PORTSMOUTH – span from New England down to the Tidewater Region of Virginia.
“Our Wave DRUM and Wave PORTSMOUTH Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Portsmouth, VA; 633rd Medical Group at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA; and McDonald Army Health Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VAWave PORTSMOUTH transition to MHS GENESIS is a major step forward as we move into our final waves of MHS GENESIS deployment,” stated Air Force Brig. Gen. Norman West, director of staff for the DHA and MHS GENESIS functional lead.
“I am thoroughly impressed by the integration of the teams from the Program Executive Office for Defense Healthcare Management Systems, the Leidos Partnership for Defense Health, and the Defense Health Agency,” added Air Force Col. Thomas Cantilina, DHA chief health informatics officer, who has been on the ground for each MHS GENESIS Go-Live. Their joint precision has enabled each Go-Live to become a more seamless experience for system end users.
Wave DRUM / Wave PORTSMOUTH
These deployments include hospitals and clinics that care for West Point cadets and Air Force fighter pilots alike.
Parent MTFs in Wave DRUM include:
- Guthrie Ambulatory Healthcare Clinic, Ft. Drum, NY
- Keller Army Community Hospital, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY
- 436th Medical Group, Dover Air Force Base, DE
- 87th Medical Group, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
- Naval Health Clinic New England, Newport, RI
- 66th Medical Squadron, Hanscom Air Force Base, MA
- Naval Branch Health Clinic, Groton, New London, CT
Parent MTFs in Wave PORTSMOUTH include:
(From left to right) Maj. Walter Glasco, deputy commander for administration; Col. Evelyn Vento, deputy commander for clinical services; Col. Matthew Mapes, commander; Command Sgt. Maj. Joey Mendez, Soldier Recovery Unit senior enlisted leader; and Maj. Betty Moore, deputy commander for nursing, all with the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Drum, N.Y., hold onto a ceremonial ribbon following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Guthrie Army Medical Home. (Credit: Paul Walter, U.S. Army MEDDAC executive officer)
Revenue Cycle
As is the case with any new technology adoption, it will take time for clinic staff to learn how to efficiently navigate this new system. This deployment will cause longer than routine wait times, lengthier patient consultation times, longer pharmacy wait times, and a reduction in available daily appointments.
“There are going to be challenges when implementing any system of this size and scope,” said Navy Capt. Shelley Perkins, director of Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia. “Fortunately, we’ve seen positive outcomes in the other markets where it’s been deployed, and we’re committed to resolving any issues patients or providers identify.”
The Military Health System recently launched new and enhanced business tools as part of the full suite of capabilities in MHS GENESIS. These new tools integrate clinical and business capabilities to provide a seamless patient experience.
The information pulled from Revenue Cycle will allow healthcare teams to better serve beneficiaries, shape hospital or clinic services to meet future needs, and help prevent any unexpected bills.
“The full suite of revenue cycle capabilities are key components advancing the Military Health System’s overall ability to manage resources and financially plan for future health care needs of our patients,” stated Farah Sarshar, MHS GENESIS business functional champion.
“Since the initial rollout of new and enhanced revenue cycle capabilities in April 2022, we have continued to improve the way we manage the business of health care to ensure the delivery of quality patient care is supported,” added Sarshar. “It is also important to highlight that revenue cycle capabilities impact the patient health care experience as well, enabling better collaboration and communication between patients and their health care provider team.”
Future Deployments
While Waves DRUM and PORTSMOUTH are the first MHS GENESIS deployments in 2023, they won’t be the last. Seven more waves are planned for the rest of the year completing a five-year operational deployment plan.
“I’m incredibly proud and grateful for each of our MTF leaders for ensuring their teams were well prepared for the transition,” concluded West. “Additionally, I can’t brag enough about our MTF staff for their dedication to making this program a huge success, and continually providing on-the-ground insights on how we can make MHS GENESIS even better.”