U of I trustees question savings in hospital IT upgrade

URBANA, Ill. (AP) - The University of Illinois board of trustees is considering a $62 million, seven-year information technology upgrade for its Chicago hospital.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports administrators say they want to simplify the billing process, given doctors and nurses easier access to patient records and improve patient care.

The proposal under review is with a firm called Epic. Implementation and operating costs the hospital absorbs would drive the cost to $101 million over 15 years.

Trustees have reacted with shock at the price. Edward McMillan says the system could be "obsolete" before it's paid off. Others questioned the savings.

Avijit Ghosh is the university system's interim chief financial officer. He says UI physicians and the hospital use different computer systems so patients don't get a single bill for the same hospital visit.