The Indian Health Service (IHS) has begun the first phase of its PATH electronic health record (EHR) system rollout at the Lawton Service Unit in Lawton, Oklahoma. The transition marks the agency’s shift away from its long-standing Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS).
Pilot Launch in Lawton
On September 26, the new PATH EHR system became operational at Lawton Indian Hospital, Anadarko Indian Health Center, and Carnegie Indian Health Center. This pilot serves as the first real-world test of the system’s functionality, ease of use, and compatibility with existing workflows.
The IHS provides health services to approximately 2.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, serving 574 federally recognized tribes across 37 states. The PATH EHR rollout at Lawton represents a critical step in modernizing the agency’s health information infrastructure.
Partnerships and Interoperability
To replace RPMS, the IHS selected Oracle Health’s commercial EHR suite.
Supporting the pilot deployment are multiple contractors: General Dynamics Information Technology handles system integration, Oracle Health delivers the core EHR platform, Kadiak provides program management assistance, and Totem oversees organizational change initiatives. Early testing has already demonstrated successful data exchange with the Oklahoma State Immunization Registry and electronic prescription transmission to the Lawton Pharmacy.
Cost and Long-Term Plan
Jeanette Kompkoff, director of the Division of Health Information Technology Modernization and Operations, has stated that the project’s total estimated cost spans between $4.5 billion and $6.2 billion over a decade. In a December 2023 interview, she clarified that the IHS EHR solution would differ from the VA and DoD systems in both design and implementation approach.
During the initial go-live period, IHS staff are gathering user feedback to refine workflows and update training materials. These adjustments aim to help clinicians adapt more smoothly to the new system while maintaining uninterrupted care delivery.
Future Rollout Plans
All clinical services, including emergency, ambulatory, surgical, and inpatient care, continued without disruption during the transition. Mitchell Thornbrugh, the IHS Chief Information Officer, described the launch as a key milestone in creating a more modern and interconnected health information environment.
The agency is offering on-site technical support, addressing user issues, and refining operational guidance as staff become more familiar with PATH. Lessons learned from the Lawton pilot will inform future rollouts, helping to optimize implementation and support across tribal health facilities nationwide.
Kompkoff highlighted the development of the Four Directions Warehouse, a centralized federal cloud-based repository designed to store legacy RPMS data while integrating information from multiple EHR solutions. The repository provides robust security controls and enables seamless access to patient records for both providers and patients across different facilities.
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