Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are digital systems used to record, store, retrieve, and share patient information safely. EHRs let medical workers quickly see patient data, helping them make better treatment choices and work with other healthcare providers. In the United States, most clinicians and hospitals use EHRs. Data shows that over 75% of office-based doctors and about 96% of hospitals use Electronic Health Records certified by the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP).
EHRs help make healthcare faster and safer by cutting down repeated tests and documentation errors. But, the technology and ways of hosting EHRs differ. Some healthcare groups keep EHRs on local servers (on-site), while others move them to the cloud to save money, grow easily, and improve reliability.
On-premises EHR systems need a lot of money for hardware, network setup, and special IT staff to keep them running well and safe. These systems can have problems as patient data grows quickly. Getting new hardware takes time, which can slow the system and affect patient care. Also, recovering data after disasters is harder and costs more. Backups and extra sites may not be possible for many practices.
The U.S. Department of Defense’s MHS GENESIS system shows these problems. MHS GENESIS is one of the biggest EHR systems in the world but had trouble with hardware updates, maintenance, and making sure the system was always available with its on-site setup. To fix this, the DoD plans to move the system to the cloud.
The Department of Defense is moving its MHS GENESIS system to the cloud. It gave a contract worth over $1.1 billion to Leidos, the systems integrator who already manages the system. This change aims to improve the system’s ability to grow, reliability, security, and the handling of more patient data.
Cloud migration should keep the system always available and help with disaster recovery. Cloud platforms can add computing power automatically during busy times, keeping the system fast. They also back up data in many places to protect against loss from cyberattacks or system failures.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is doing a similar update by moving to a new cloud-ready EHR system that works with the DoD system. The VA’s project aims to connect VA hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers, giving Veterans easy access to their medical information in one place. They also include agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard and community care providers to improve care coordination.
Big cloud moves like these need careful planning. Systems integrators help make sure the move does not stop patient care.
Systems integrators are outside groups or contractors who manage the technical and practical parts of big healthcare IT projects. For EHR cloud moves, they work with healthcare providers, software makers, cloud companies, and IT teams.
Leidos, the main systems integrator for the DoD’s MHS GENESIS system, got an extended contract. Experts said switching to a new integrator too soon after deployment would be risky. Keeping service steady, knowing the system well, having clear processes, and strong vendor ties help reduce problems during cloud moves.
Systems integrators do many tasks including:
By controlling the whole EHR system, systems integrators reduce technical problems and keep patient data safe during moving.
Migrating EHRs to the cloud also changes administrative work. Studies show that digital tools like AI, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) affect management and office tasks. These tools help by automating simple jobs, improving decisions, and making workflows smoother.
Systems integrators help healthcare providers redesign workflows and find places where technology can replace manual work. They also assist with moving data and making sure old patient records stay safe and easy to get in the new system. This needs teamwork between vendors, IT, and doctors to avoid service interruptions.
AI and automation are becoming common in healthcare administration. They help improve processes during and after moving EHRs to the cloud.
Using AI and automation lets healthcare workers spend more time on patient care and less on office work, raising efficiency and patient outcomes.
Moving EHRs to the cloud needs strong rules for security and management. Cloud systems often cost less upfront but need both healthcare groups and cloud providers to share responsibilities for data safety. This includes protecting data with encryption, controlling access, and following HIPAA rules.
Systems integrators make sure governance is in place using tools like the SAFER Self-Assessment Guides from the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy. These guides cover what organizations must do, risk planning, disaster readiness, and safe EHR use to keep systems dependable.
For government healthcare systems, strict cybersecurity rules and tools help find weak spots fast. The DoD’s cloud move with Leidos includes these rules as part of their contracts and plans.
Medical administrators and IT managers moving to cloud EHRs should keep these in mind:
The DoD and VA’s EHR updates are part of a wider move toward cloud use and digital change in healthcare in the U.S. Cloud systems offer scalable, dependable EHRs that better support patient care and coordination.
Studies show that employee skills are important for successful digital changes. Healthcare groups investing in IT upgrades should also focus on staff training and managing change.
As more practices use cloud EHR and AI tools, systems integrators will have larger roles in system setup, training, changing workflows, and continuing improvements.
The move to cloud-based electronic health records involves many complicated steps. It needs detailed planning, skilled coordination, and strong security rules. Systems integrators like Leidos in government healthcare and technology companies offering AI tools are important in this process. They help make cloud migration smoother, keep care ongoing, and improve office work in medical practices across the United States.
The DOD faced challenges maintaining its large on-premises electronic health record system, MHS GENESIS, including hardware and software expansion needs, long procurement lead times, and disaster recovery requirements, prompting the move to a cloud solution for improved scalability and reliability.
MHS GENESIS is the DOD’s electronic health record system, designed to provide an all-in-one solution encompassing the entire Defense Department, and is one of the largest EHR systems globally.
Leidos is the incumbent systems integrator for the MHS GENESIS program, expected to receive a high-value contract extension for continued support during the cloud migration.
Cloud migration is expected to enhance scalability, resilience, reliability, and cybersecurity for the MHS GENESIS system while addressing the challenges encountered in its current on-premises configuration.
The new contract with Leidos is estimated at $1.131 billion for three years, with an option for an additional nine months valued at $263.34 million.
Leidos will manage software licenses, provide hosting services, ensure smooth interaction among software products, and enable new capabilities for MHS GENESIS in both on-premises and cloud environments.
Industry feedback indicated high risks associated with transitioning to a new systems integrator post-deployment, necessitating a stable continuation of services from Leidos.
Both the DOD and VA utilize the same core technology based on Oracle Cerner’s EHR software, which is intended to ensure interoperability as service members transition to veteran status.
The VA’s staggered EHR rollout has faced numerous challenges, including delayed patient care, which has led to concerns regarding timely services and, in rare cases, patient mortality.
The DOD is aiming to modernize its IT infrastructure across various components, with the cloud capabilities being central to this strategic transformation.
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