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Yokota begins transition to new electronic health record MHS GENESIS

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Taylor A. Workman
  • 374th Airlift Wing public affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  

At the end of October this year, the military medical treatment facility (MTF) at Yokota Air Base, Japan, will officially transition to MHS GENESIS, the new electronic health record for the Military Health System (MHS).

MHS GENESIS will introduce a new way to not only have 24/7 access to electronic health records, but also to schedule medical appointments, place pharmacy renewals, view laboratory and test results, and securely message your medical care team through the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal.

The MHS GENESIS Patient Portal will replace TRICARE Online, Relay Health, and the TRICARE Patient Portal with enhanced, secure technology to manage patient health information.

“This system has deployed to military medical treatment facilities worldwide in waves and overseas locations are the last to implement MHS Genesis,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Gregory Richert, 374th Medical Group commander. “Facilities all over the Pacific will see the transition happen later this year, but Team Yokota is preparing now to make the transition as smooth as possible for our patients.”

The transition will impact Yokota medical staff as they train and adjust to the new system while implementing new workflows. During the transition period, patients should expect impacts to routine medical services to include:

  • Decreased total number of available appointments
  • Increased wait times for routine appointments
  • Increased wait times at support clinics such as the pharmacy, radiology, and laboratory

“We will continue to provide health care to our community throughout this transition timeframe although there will be delays,” Richert continued. “The transition to the new electronic health record will improve the day-to-day care for Team Yokota. Our patients can reduce some of the stress that comes from delays and increased wait times by scheduling needed appointments ahead of the transition. Additionally, for community members who require daily medications such as (but not limited to) blood pressure, birth control or asthma medications, consider submitting refills in September to avoid any interruptions in your medications. If you have questions or concerns about your care during this transition, please contact your Primary Care Manager.”

MHS GENESIS is designed to integrate inpatient and outpatient solutions that will connect medical and dental information across the continuum of care, from the point of injury to the military medical treatment facility. This includes home station, operational, and enroute care, increasing efficiencies for beneficiaries and healthcare professionals.

When fully implemented, MHS GENESIS will provide a single health record for service members, veterans, and their families. The new system is currently operational at 112 military hospitals and clinics and is scheduled to be fully implemented at Yokota by the end of this year.

Additionally, 374th MDG is working closely with the Defense Health Agency to request additional personnel familiar with MHS Genesis who can help mitigate delays during initial implementation of the new system.  

To learn more about MHS Genesis, visit https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Technology/MHS-GENESIS.