Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1020287
38 CIO / HEALTH IT Banner Health's Tucson Cerner switch triggers reports of medical errors, state finds By Morgan Haefner P hoenix-based Banner Health's $45 mil- lion switch from Epic to Cerner at its Tucson, Ariz.-based hospitals and clin- ics resulted in "numerous" reports of medical errors, state records obtained by the Arizona Daily Star show. In February, the Arizona Department of Health and Services began investigating pa- tient complaints following Banner's Oct. 1 Cerner EHR go-live at its Tucson facilities. Aer the go-live, patients reported delays when scheduling appointments and filling prescriptions. Some patients on Jan. 8 said their existing appointments at the health sys- tem's University of Arizona Cancer Center were rescheduled. State health department records released to the Star aer a public records request claim the go-live adversely affected patients and caused high frustration among some staff, ac- cording to the report. An Oct. 19, 2017 complaint from the heavi- ly redacted records stated, "e biggest issue is patient safety and harm to patients," and "many of the staff are in tears and frustrated because of the lack of support and empathy to the consequences of patient care." Hospital leaders said no patients were harmed from the issues, but acknowledged some de- lays in patient registration and ordering of lab results and medications, the records showed. "Hospital leadership denied there were any incidents that resulted in a negative outcome to patients, however, the hospital's occurrence log for October 2017 showed numerous inci- dents of medical errors reported to be a result of the conversion," state investigators wrote. e state health department did not fine or cite Banner, and records show the health system took "sufficient corrective action" in response to the allegations surrounding its Cerner conversion. While Banner officials declined an interview with the Star regarding the issue, the system said in separate emails to the publication that more than 100 improve- ments have been implemented this year. "These changes include dramatic improve- ments in medications processing and phar- macy; improved administrative operations in our oncology department; and rapid and enhanced access to patient records for our clinical staff; to name a few," one emailed statement to the Star read. "Along the way, we did experience challenges, some of which were significant. However, we are proud of the progress we have made, will continue to refine our systems and tech- nology, and are more committed than ever to making sure the Banner experience is world class." n 4,200+ ATTENDEES FROM HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS ACROSS THE NATION REGISTER BY MARCH 1, 2019 AND SAVE! CELEBRITY KEYNOTES BY 10TH ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 1-4, 2019 HYATT REGENCY | CHICAGO, ILLINOIS REGISTER HERE www.beckershospitalreview.com/conference registration@beckershealthcare.com, jcole@beckershealthcare.com, sbecker@ beckershealthcare.com or 800.417.2035. Great topics and speakers focused on strategy, health system alignment and growth, physician integration, improving profitability, ACOs, key specialties and more 300+ GREAT HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SYSTEM LEADERS SPEAKING George W. Bush 43rd President of the United States of America and Founder of the George W. Bush Presidential Center President Bill Clinton Founder of the Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States of America