Hackensack Meridian Health's Cloud and Data Modernization with Google Cloud Enhances Patient Care and Drives Innovation

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Oct 09, 2023, 07:58 ET

Transformation enables new insights, artificial intelligence-driven decision-making and speed-to-market
The healthcare leader is the first hospital network globally to begin moving Epic workloads to Google Cloud

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at HLTH '23, Google Cloud announced that Hackensack Meridian Health's cloud and data modernization is underway, and has now moved its first non-production electronic health record (EHR) workload from its on-premise environment to Google Cloud—with plans to migrate its other EHR workloads over the next three years. First announced at HLTH '22, Hackensack Meridian Health's cloud migration strategy will enable the network to securely drive greater innovation and efficiencies, as well as provide the foundation for deploying new technologies like analytics and artificial intelligence (AI).

"Now that we've moved significant data, applications workload, and other IT resources from on-premise to Google Cloud, we're seeing increased agility, improved reliability, and increased security," said Kash Patel, EVP and chief digital information officer for Hackensack Meridian Health. "Data is at the core of how we are modernizing healthcare, and having all of our EHR workloads and other significant data sources on Google Cloud will help enable us to gain more insights from our data, and introduce new services based on analytics and innovation."

Hackensack Meridian Health has started with migration of its EHR Playground workload, a software environment that enables onboarding residents and nursing students to practice placing orders, writing patient notes, and other educational use cases, without patient data. Over time, as more of these workloads are migrated over to Google Cloud, Hackensack will be able to better integrate its processes, ultimately improving the clinician and patient experience. It will also enable Hackensack to readily access and analyze data from multiple sources, leveraging Google Cloud's AI and machine learning offerings to develop predictive capabilities critical for improving the health of the communities it serves.

Today's news builds on Hackensack Meridian Health's broader partnership with Google Cloud announced in 2021 that spans the use of AI, data analytics, productivity software, and more. And, in August of this year, Hackensack Meridian Health shared it is using Google Cloud's generative AI tools to improve caregiver and patient experiences.

"Hackensack Meridian Health is unlocking the potential of data, connecting the dots in a patient's healthcare journey," said Aashima Gupta, global director, Healthcare Strategy & Solutions for Google Cloud. "Migrating EHR workloads to the cloud means healthcare organizations are improving connectivity and no longer need to shoulder the burden of managing IT infrastructure and focus on what they do best—serving their patients and communities."

Google Cloud's approach to data governance and privacy policies are designed for its customers to retain control over their data. In healthcare settings, access and use of patient data is protected through the implementation of Google Cloud's reliable infrastructure and secure data storage that support HIPAA compliance, along with each customer's security, privacy controls, and processes. With Google's responsible approach to generative AI, customers have access to monitor and review model outputs and leverage safety guardrails and model documentation to enable responsible use in a customer's use case and context.

About Google Cloud
Google Cloud accelerates every organization's ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google's cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems.

About Hackensack Meridian Health
Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. The network has 18 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers, physician practice locations, and a fitness and wellness center. With more than 35,000 team members and 7,000 physicians, Hackensack Meridian Health is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy and committed to the health and well-being of communities throughout New Jersey.

The network's notable distinctions include having the only #1 ranked adult and children's hospitals in New Jersey, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 2023-24. Hackensack University Medical Center is nationally-ranked by U.S. News & World Report in six specialties. To learn more, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.

Epic is a trademark of Epic Systems Corporation.

SOURCE Google Cloud