Mercy Acquires SoutheastHealth: A Shift Towards Enhanced Patient Care with Epic EHR System

Mercy has recently acquired SoutheastHealth, marking the beginning of a new era in providing seamless patient care. The acquisition, which officially became effective on January 3rd, includes two hospitals, a behavioral health hospital, and 48 clinics in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. As part of the transition, SoutheastHealth facilities will be rebranded as Mercy Southeast, and significant investments are planned to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare services. The first visible change for the community will be the placement of new Mercy signage at various locations across southeast Missouri.

Transition to Epic EHR System

One of the major steps in this transition is the implementation of the Epic Electronic Health Record (EHR) system across all Mercy Southeast facilities. Mercy already uses a single instance of Epic for its entire healthcare system, and SoutheastHealth will follow suit. Epic's EHR system is designed to provide continuity of care for providers and patients, offering the benefit of online appointment scheduling, access to personal health records, communication with physicians, and online bill payment through the MyMercy patient portal and mobile app. The full implementation of the Epic EHR system at SoutheastHealth is expected to take place later this year.

Continuity of Leadership

Kenneth Bateman, the CEO of SoutheastHealth, will now take on the role of CEO for Mercy Southeast. In order to ensure a smooth transition, Bateman has decided to delay his retirement until late this year. He will be working alongside Eric Ammons and Ryan Geib from Mercy to uphold the mission of providing quality healthcare, particularly in southeast Missouri.

Strengthening Healthcare Delivery

The merger of these two healthcare giants is seen as a significant step in strengthening healthcare delivery across southeast Missouri. The acquisition is expected to increase patient access to high-quality care and make Cape Girardeau a hub for healthcare. The goal is not only to improve patient care but also to bring cost-effective healthcare to the community. Mercy is one of the 20 largest U.S. health systems, operating over 900 physician practice locations and outpatient facilities, with more than 4,500 physicians and advanced practitioners, and over 47,000 co-workers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

Training and Education

As part of the transition, Mercy is also focusing on training every co-worker with Epic access and educating patients on how to maximize its use for maintaining good health. The Epic system is not just a tool for healthcare providers; it is also a resource for patients to take charge of their own health. By understanding how to use the system, patients can actively participate in their healthcare journey.

Mercy's acquisition of SoutheastHealth and the subsequent shift to the Epic EHR system signifies their commitment to providing continuity of care, enhancing access to healthcare services, and empowering patients. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, such initiatives pave the way for improved patient care and health outcomes.