TAMPA, FL – The University of South Florida Physicians Group at USF Health is no slouch when it comes to embracing information technology.

The 415-physician multi-specialty medical practice of USF Health’s College of Medicine is in the midst of converting its paper medical records to digital ones at 12 locations. It is also undertaking a $15 million upgrade of its practice management system, and last month it broke ground on the first of its Centers for Advanced Healthcare, where USF executives plan to show how information technology can transform healthcare delivery.

USF have tapped software companies Allscripts and GE Healthcare for the technology work. Allscripts will implement its Touchworks electronic health records technology, and USF will become a nation demonstration center for

Allscripts. On the business side, GE Healthcare will update the IDX practice management software at all locations.

USF executives expect they will realize a return on the investment, but they declined to talk about specific numbers. For them, they said, it’s more about vision than ROI, and the vision is all about the patient.

“We really have never gone into it in an ROI type of thing,” said Joseph M. Jackson, executive director of USF Physicians Group. “It’s been about the patient. How would it allow us to do more than we currently do to provide better medical care? I think there will be some savings.”

 “It isn’t just about a system that we’re implementing; it’s a vision – a patient-centric vision” said Stephen Klasko, MD, vice president for USF Health and dean of the College of Medicine.

 “My vision for these buildings is simple,” he said. “They will be the place where quality, technology and service combine to create a national model of excellence.”

At Allscripts, CEO Glen Tullman took a central role in the project.

“Touchworks is normally used to streamline and improve the practice of medicine by automating common clinical activities,” Tullman said. “What impressed me about USF is Dr. Klasko’s vision to use the electronic health record not only to substitute for existing processes and innovations, but to transform the way healthcare will be delivered in the future.”

The Centers for Advanced Health Care will include two new buildings along with the existing clinical facility located in the USF Tampa campus. The 126,000-square-foot, seven-story South Pavilion will be erected in front of Tampa General Hospital. The clinic will include new service lines, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic procedures. The North Clinic, a six-story, 194,400 square-foot facility, will include eight outpatient operating rooms, five endoscopy suites and diagnostic imaging as well as pharmacy, food services and a patient education library.