Four years ago, our first seven practices and 28 providers launched Houston Methodist’s Community Connect — bringing together care, technology and purpose. Community Connect allows our Houston Methodist-affiliated providers to purchase our top-rated Epic EHR and practice management system to use in their practices. It allows these practices to securely access and share patient data through Epic.

As the program evolves, it’s accelerating our vision of a more connected, integrated health care network — linking more practices, specialties and services to deliver smarter, more seamless care through secure patient data sharing and better care coordination.

From Launch to Legacy: Community Connect Milestones

Since Community Connect launched in June, 2021, it’s grown to 19 practices and over 100 providers, including 19 specialties. Throughout the journey, our HM Community Connect team has worked continuously not only to expand the program, but also to improve its offering and the support these practices receive.

Last year, Community Connect reached a major milestone by receiving its Epic accreditation — the only program in Houston with this recognition and one of only three in Texas. This accreditation gives us a platform to help influence future enhancements and functionalities, to drive more innovative solutions for our practices. To achieve this, Epic Corp. sent a survey to each practice to gather valuable feedback on their day-to-day experiences, including support and system functionality.

“Achieving Connect Accreditation from Epic is a great testament to our dedication to provide a high-quality service to our Connect partners,” said Dr. Jordan Dale, chief medical information officer and chief health AI officer. “Over the last three years, we have deliberately focused on enhancing the experience our community partners have with our Epic Connect program, and we have seen further expansion. We appreciate all the feedback and partnership with our community partners, and we know our patients love the experience of a shared medical record across these practices.”

Aroub Khleif, Ph.D., administrative director, IT ambulatory clinical systems and innovation added, “We’re thrilled to achieve this milestone for Houston Methodist’s Community Connect program. This achievement is a clear demonstration of our commitment to our community partners and their patients. We’re excited to further expand our services in the coming years.”

The Patient and Provider Experience

For patients, Community Connect improves access to their electronic health records (EHR) and facilitates better coordination of care across different providers and settings. This allows them to engage more actively with their care through features like MyChart. For our HM-affiliated providers, Community Connect facilitates easier access to patient records across different organizations within the Epic ecosystem, leading to more efficient and comprehensive care. Here’s a more detailed look at how HM’s Community Connect is benefiting our patients and providers:

• Improved continuity of care: Patient information is shared securely across different providers and facilities within the Epic network, helping to ensure that patients receive coordinated care, regardless of where they’re treated.
• Enhanced communication and patient engagement: Features like MyChart allow patients to actively participate in their care by accessing important health care information, communicating with providers and scheduling appointments.
• Streamlined processes: Digital referrals and shared records reduce the need for manual processes, like faxing and scanning, saving time and resources and reducing administrative burden. Digital referrals between organizations can be made quickly and easily, expediting patient care.
• Better outcomes: By facilitating better communication, coordination and access to information, Community Connect can contribute to improved quality of care and better patient outcomes. Providers can gain a holistic view of a patient’s health history, including medications, allergies and previous treatments, enabling more informed decision-making.

Looking Ahead: A Journey of Growth and Impact

HM’s Community Connect has evolved from its initial launch into a vital part of our health care ecosystem.

“Community Connect’s continued growth has brought measurable benefits to both patients and providers, enhancing care delivery and collaboration,” said Dr. Dale. “In July, we’re launching two new cardiology practices and discussions are underway with a few practices around InBasket ART draft replies and Ambient Listening.”

The program’s recent Epic accreditation also marks a significant milestone — paving the way for an even broader, more connected network of practices, providers and specialties. As we look ahead, Community Connect remains a cornerstone of our commitment to delivering better, more efficient patient care.