Sidney Health Center has partnered with Sanford Health to provide patients with an integrated state-of-the-art electronic health record (EHR). The agreement provides Sidney Health Center with access to the industry’s most advanced electronic health records system, Epic.

In spring 2014, Sidney Health Center will convert to the Epic software system in order to meet federal guidelines for the secure use and sharing of health information. Epic will allow providers, nurses and other medical professionals a seamless means of collecting, storing and accessing a patient’s medical information. This is a tremendous win in the community for exchanging information in the safest, most efficient way possible. 

“Implementing a software system of this magnitude in a rural health care setting would not be feasible without a coordinated effort,” said Rick Haraldson, Sidney Health Center CEO.” Working with Sanford allows us to take advantage of federal incentives to implement electronic health records at a reasonable rate and bring the best technology to the residents of the MonDak region.”

“A closer relationship between Sidney Health Center and Sanford seeks to address the changing health care environment so that we can continue to offer the best patient care possible,” said Rick Giesel, President Sanford Health Network.

Sidney Health Center will continue to operate as an independent, community-owned hospital and is enthusiastic about the positive opportunities to respond to the needs of the community this collaboration will bring.

“We are committed to serving the needs of patients in eastern Montana and western North Dakota,” said Craig Lambrecht, MD, president of the Bismarck-based western region of Sanford Health. “This relationship is another example of delivering on that promise. We are thrilled to be working with such a strong partner to enhance patient care in the region.”

About Sanford Health?

Sanford Health is an integrated health system headquartered in the Dakotas and is now the largest, rural, not-for-profit health care system in the nation with locations in 126 communities in eight states. In addition, Sanford Health is in the process of developing international clinics in Ghana, Israel and Mexico.

Sanford Health includes 39 hospitals, 140 clinic locations and 1,360 physicians in 81 specialty areas of medicine. With more than 26,000 employees, Sanford Health is the largest employer in North and South Dakota. The system is experiencing dynamic growth and development in conjunction with Denny Sanford's nearly $700 million in gifts, the largest ever to a health care organization in America. These gifts are making possible the implementation of several initiatives including global children's clinics, multiple research centers and finding cures for type 1 diabetes and breast cancer. For more information, please visit sanfordhealth.org .