Introduction
Technology has become an integral part of people’s daily lives, especially in the healthcare workplace. One such technology that is widely used in the healthcare industry is electronic health records (EHR), and the system EPIC is a leading provider of this technology. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the EPIC system and its benefits for healthcare providers, as well as potential issues, and ways to use it more effectively.
Analysis
EPIC is a widely used EHR system that provides a comprehensive platform for managing patient information. According to the EPIC website, this system is designed to consolidate all a patient’s medical information into a single record, enabling healthcare providers to gain a comprehensive view of a patient’s health history and make more informed decisions (EPIC, 2023). It is a web-based system that is accessible from different devices with an Internet connection.
Healthcare providers can use technology to enter and retrieve patient data, such as medical history, test results, medications, allergies, and more. It also provides tools for scheduling appointments, managing billing and insurance claims, and facilitating communication between healthcare providers (Dinh-Le et al., 2019; EPIC, 2023). The daily operation of the EPIC system is the responsibility of the IT department in healthcare organizations, who ensure its proper functioning and manages any technical issues that may occur.
To use the EPIC system, a healthcare organization needs the necessary hardware, such as computers or mobile devices, and an internet connection. Additionally, the EPIC software needs to be installed and configured on these devices (EPIC, 2023). EPIC also offers training and support to healthcare organizations, ensuring their staff are proficient in using the system.
The EPIC system is primarily used by healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and administrative staff. They input and access patient information, schedule appointments, and communicate with other healthcare providers using the system (Dinh-Le et al., 2019; EPIC, 2023). Staff need to receive proper education and training to effectively use the EPIC system and maximize its benefits.
This system benefits nurses, providers, and patients alike. For nurses and providers, it streamlines the process of accessing patient information, reducing the need for physical files and allowing for more efficient and accurate documentation. It also facilitates communication between healthcare providers, ensuring that everyone involved in a patient’s care is on the same page (EPIC, 2023).
Nurses can act as change agents in promoting the effective use of the EHR system by accentuating its convenience, adaptability, safety, accuracy, and transparency (Lindén-Lahti et al., 2022). For patients, the EPIC system enables better coordination of care, reduces the likelihood of medical errors, and provides them with easy access to their own health information.
To utilize the EPIC system more effectively, healthcare organizations can focus on staff education and training. This approach includes providing ongoing training sessions and resources to ensure that staff members are up-to-date on the latest features and functionalities of the system (EPIC, 2023). It is also recommended to train educators on using EHRs with a focus on enhancing security. Thus, only authorized access should be possible, and blockchain technology can be applied for security purposes (Chen et al., 2019). These approaches are critical to guarantee the security of patient-related electronic data.
Summary
The advantages of the EPIC system are evident in its widespread adoption in the healthcare industry. It has revolutionized the way patient information is managed and has improved the efficiency and accuracy of healthcare delivery (EPIC, 2023). Thus, “by 2015, nearly 9 in 10 (87%) of office-based physicians adopted an EHR system,” and EPIC remains one of the most popular EHR systems (Dinh-Le et al., 2019, p. 1). It has also allowed for better coordination of care and improved patient outcomes.
References
Chen, L., Lee, W. K., Chang, C. C., Choo, K. K. R., & Zhang, N. (2019). Blockchain-based searchable encryption for electronic health record sharing. Future Generation Computer Systems, 95, 420-429.
Dinh-Le, C., Chuang, R., Chokshi, S., & Mann, D. (2019). Wearable health technology and electronic health record integration: Scoping review and future directions. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 7(9), 1-10.
EPIC. (2023). About us. Web.
Lindén-Lahti, C., Kivivuori, S. M., Lehtonen, L., & Schepel, L. (2022). Implementing a new electronic health record system in a university hospital: The effect on reported medication errors. Healthcare, 10(6), 1-12.
