Epic Implementation Results In $55.1M Operational Loss For Hospital

The rollout of the Epic electronic health records system contributed to a $55.1 million operational loss in fiscal 2012-13 for Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, according to a financial report released last week.The Winston Salem Journal first reported that Wake Forest Baptist “did have a substantial negative impact on fiscal 2013 operating performance through both direct implementation expenses and associated indirect expenses.”

The reported $55.1 million operational loss stems from $53.7 million in indirect impact — $36.9 million of lost margin due to interim volume disruptions “during initial go-live and post go-live optimization;” and $16.8 million in other Epic-related implementation expenses.