North Carolina Healthcare Facilities Embrace New Electronic Health Records System
In a significant move for state healthcare, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has integrated an electronic health record (EHR) system, powered by Epic, in its 13 state-operated facilities. This initiative, celebrated at Cherry Hospital, promises to advance the medical and behavioral treatment available for adults and children with various health challenges, including mental illnesses and developmental disabilities. The EHR system aims to enhance patient care, streamline staff processes, secure patient data, and ensure regulatory compliance.
NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai emphasized the importance of this advancement, stating, “This new electronic health records system is about giving our patients the safest, most coordinated care possible and improving our state’s behavioral health system. By modernizing how we manage health information, we can ensure our providers and partners have the right details at the right time to deliver high-quality care.”
The implementation of Epic’s EHR system, which went live on August 1, 2025, allows healthcare providers to access a comprehensive view of patient information, such as test results and medical history, across various facilities. This connectivity is designed to facilitate informed decision-making, reduce unnecessary testing, and highlight potential risks like drug allergies before they become issues.
Cherry Hospital CEO Timothy Miller highlighted the benefits of the new system: “At Cherry Hospital, our mission is to provide excellent psychiatric care to individuals with the greatest need and the fewest resources. By implementing electronic health records, our staff can spend less time on paperwork and more time focusing on what matters most—caring for our patients. The adoption of EHR technology is expected to improve communication among care teams, streamline processes, and strengthen the hospital’s commitment to delivering high-quality psychiatric services to North Carolinians who need them most.”
This development traces back to 2021 when Senator Jim Burgin sponsored Senate Bill 538, mandating the adoption of electronic health records in state psychiatric hospitals. Reflecting on the journey, Senator Burgin expressed his sentiments, “I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to be at the kickoff of Epic electronic medical records for our state health facilities. Over seven years ago, after winning my election, my first visit was to Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro. After touring the facility, I asked what are the top three things I could help them with, and electronic records was the number one request. Now seven years and $70M later, that has become a reality. Folks that have been in a state health facility will have their records available at any facility that uses the Epic system. This will lead to better healthcare for all North Carolinians.”
Epic Implementation Executive Dan Murray also remarked on the milestone, stating, “The NCDHHS implementation is a key milestone for state-operated healthcare. We are excited to help NCDHHS bring cutting-edge technology to these facilities to support their staff and patients.”
Additionally, some facilities will grant patients and residents access to their health data via the MyChart online portal. This tool enables individuals over 18, or those with legal responsibility, to view medications and test results from multiple healthcare visits in a single, secure location.
Read More Here
