Vaud Grand Council to debate 200 million franc hospital software deal

The Vaud Grand Council is set to debate the replacement of the computerized patient record (DPI) system for the CHUV and eleven other facilities within the Federation of Vaudois Hospitals (FHVI). The proposed solution involves a contract with the American company Epic, costing over 200 million Swiss francs.

While the Federal Tribunal previously validated the choice of Epic following appeals from the Geneva-based company Kheops, the decision remains controversial. A commission report recommends proceeding with the plan, but minority reports have labeled the selection a “major strategic error.”

Critics, including deputy Aurélien Demaurex, have raised concerns regarding digital sovereignty and the risks of dependency on a U.S.-based firm. Specifically, concerns were noted regarding the U.S. Cloud Act, which allows American authorities to request data from companies based in the United States. Some representatives have advocated for local alternatives, such as the system developed by Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) in collaboration with Valais Hospital.