The Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) West Hawaiʻi Region, which encompasses Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital, has been awarded $2.5 million in a federal
earmark to bolster its electronic medical records (EMR) system, EPIC.

The $2.5 million enables Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital to facilitate seamless communication among the network of healthcare providers who rely on EPIC for medical records statewide. This investment will enhance the hospitals’ ability to deliver personalized care, improve patient safety, and streamline administrative processes.

Federal earmarks, also known as “community project funding” or “congressionally directed spending,” allow Congress to allocate funds for specific projects or programs without undergoing the standard appropriations process.

In a press release U.S. Senator Brian Schatz said, “This new funding will help improve these hospitals by making necessary upgrades to ensure safe, easy access to medical records for patients and staff alike. We’ll continue working to bring federal resources to improve the quality of and access to care on Hawaii Island and across the state.”