North Chicago, IL –
On March 10, the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command launched MHS GENESIS at its remaining 55 stations across the nation. Prior to this “big bang go-live” event, 12 of the command’s 67 processing stations launched MHS GENESIS as part of a “soft go-live” on Feb. 24.
“The deployment of MHS GENESIS is another leap in medical modernization at USMEPCOM,” said Col. Megan Stallings, USMEPCOM commander. “It is revolutionizing our medical processing. The new electronic health record will follow applicants from the moment they walk through ‘Freedoms Front Door’ into active duty, and eventually into the VA system.”
In line with congressional legislation requiring interoperability with medical records, Military Health System facilities worldwide began rolling out MHS GENESIS in 2017, when the initial operating capability sites went live in the Pacific Northwest. The complete roll out of MHS GENESIS consists of 23 waves. This year the system will pass a key milestone – implementing MHS GENESIS in more than half of military hospitals and clinics.
The design of MHS GENESIS will improve patient safety, communication and contribute to better health outcomes. The consolidation of health information into a single platform will increase efficiencies for beneficiaries, military dependents, and health care professionals.
Deploying new technology is not an easy feat. The adoption of MHS Genesis was at the hands of the Medical Modernization Team. Established in summer 2021, the MMT took the reins of deploying MHS GENESIS during Wave USMEPCOM. Through extensive training, upskilling and communications, the MMT knew that with all change, there can be a learning curve.
“While this transition to MHS GENESIS has been in the works for quite some time, we understand there can be difficulty with change,” said Amy Ramirez, MMT director. “We put all hands on deck at the MMT to train and prepare the MEPS personnel for the transition to the next great modernization transformation which is MHS GENESIS.”
A product of the Medical Modernization Staging Team, MMT took on the nine-month sprint to train and prepare MEPS medical personnel who will be using the new electronic system daily. Ramirez says coordination with contractors, MMT staff and especially those who will be working daily with MHS GENESIS – MEPS personnel – has been critical to the launch.
“We partnered with our contractors and dove deep into training and preparing the MEPS,” Ramirez said. “Every day, users have been at the forefront of our minds. We believe our comprehensive training approach was crucial to the successful adoption of the new EHR.”
Since the early days of the transition, Col. Stallings is grateful and proud of the teamwork between the MMT and MEPS personnel using MHS GENESIS.
“I’m grateful to our MEPS personnel who have invested the time and energy to prepare for the implementation of a new system,” she said. “I understand change can be difficult. This new modernization process will not only benefit our workflow and quality of processing, but it will make a lasting impact on the lives of service members and retirees for decades to come.”