Altera EHR built on Microsoft Azure to drive higher standard of care at rural, critical access

ORLANDO, Fla. – March 12, 2024 – Altera Digital Health (HIMSS booth #2546), a global health IT leader, today announced the development of Paragon Denali , an electronic health record (EHR) natively deployed in the cloud, specifically designed for rural, critical access and community hospitals. Built on Microsoft Azure, the Altera EHR system will bring cloud-capable features and containerized services to healthcare organizations, enabling faster, more informed care decisions and greater financial and operational efficiencies. Paragon Denali is targeted to be generally available by the end of 2024.

From rising labor and supply costs to shrinking reimbursements, hundreds of U.S. hospitals are at risk of closure. Altera, a longtime partner of Microsoft, recognized that offering Paragon in a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model would give smaller hospitals a single platform to manage clinical and financial data without further straining their staff, resources and budgets. While on-premises EHR upgrades often necessitate hours of downtime, building Paragon Denali on Azure will mean minimal downtime for clients and fewer disruptions to patient care. Paragon Denali will also integrate data from acute and ambulatory care settings, giving providers comprehensive views of patient information from a single source of clinical truth.

Cybersecurity remains another priority for hospitals, as healthcare data breaches affected nearly 133 million people in the U.S. in 2023, more than double the year prior. Paragon Denali clients will benefit from a highly secure Azure cloud foundation managed by Microsoft, with multilayered, built-in security controls enabling data safeguards that are typically only accessible to large health systems. Additionally, Paragon Denali will enable data interoperability with third-party solutions so clients can implement new innovations, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic process automation (RPA), and meet regulatory requirements with ease.

“For more than 25 years, Paragon has given hospitals the tools they need to serve their communities and provide great patient care. The evolution to Denali reflects our clients’ evolving needs, and this investment in the product will really drive long-term value,” said Mark Bruno, Executive Vice President for Paragon, Altera Digital Health. “We are excited to join forces with Microsoft to deliver a market alternative that grows with client organizations, supports their independence and elevates healthcare experiences for everyone involved.”

“The potential of this new generation of AI to transform the healthcare industry is immense,” said Nina Somerville, VP, US Health & Life Sciences, Microsoft. “Paragon Denali, one of the first cloud-based containerized EHRs focused on offering small and rural providers advanced capabilities, will combine the latest advances in cloud and AI technology with Altera’s expertise in digital health to empower healthcare professionals and improve patient care.”

To learn more, visit the Altera Digital Health website here or stop by Altera’s HIMSS24 booth (#2546), where Altera leaders will deliver a Paragon Denali launch presentation on Tuesday, March 12, at 1 p.m. ET.

About Altera Digital Health

A global healthcare IT leader, Altera Digital Health develops and elevates technology to connect and inspire healthier communities. Altera’s platform approach to our solutions is changing the way healthcare is delivered. Altera designs digital health services that lead healthcare to a higher place, while we guide those we partner with, all along the way. Together, with our clients, we’re bringing next-level healthcare within reach. To learn more, visit www.alterahealth.com .

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