Funding Supports Electronic Health Record Implementation at Family Health Centers
North Shore Community Health and Mass General Brigham have partnered to streamline patient access to their healthcare information. This new electronic health technology will enhance the quality and efficiency of patient care. On April 4 2022, Mass General Brigham announced the distribution of a $150,000 grant to North Shore Community Health to support the implementation of an electronic health record system (EHR). North Shore Community Health is a nonprofit network of family health centers serving over 13,000 patients at three community sites and seven school-based sites, offering primary care, behavioral health, dental, lab services, and other comprehensive care.
“We are grateful to Mass General Brigham for their commitment to supporting community providers like North Shore Community Health. This grant will allow us to better support our patients through better communication leading to improved health outcomes,” says Margaret A. Brennan, MPH, President and CEO of North Shore Community Health. “We look forward to an ongoing partnership with Mass General Brigham.” North Shore Community Health maintains a close partnership with Salem Hospital, a member of Mass General Brigham, to manage patient care and ensure access to specialists and hospital services.
“We are pleased to support North Shore Community Health’s initiative to implement an electronic health record system,” said Elsie Taveras, MD, MPH, Chief Community Health Equity Officer for Mass General Brigham. “Electronic health records are a critical virtual document that allows patients to see their medical history across the system and throughout their lifetime. It improves efficiency, brings stronger communications, and improves care at every touchpoint.”
Mass General Brigham was one of the first in the nation to use an electronic health record system. This funding is part of a larger commitment of $500,000 from Mass General Brigham to North Shore Community Health, with the remaining investment dedicated to support a walk-in urgent care clinic at Peabody Family Health Center, part of the North Shore Community Health network.
This partnership is part of Mass General Brigham’s $50 million investment in a new, comprehensive community, and mental health strategy to improve the health of the communities it serves. In partnership with more than 20 organizations, the initiatives target programs to improve mental healthcare capacity, workforce development, chronic disease management, as well as nutrition security and equity. The community grants build upon Mass General Brigham’s existing $175M annual community health investment program.