Renee Andrus’ Post

Sunday reading, I ran across this interesting interview with Oklahoma heart Hospital, CIO David. Here are some key takeaways from this piece: 1. Foster a Culture Open to Change Change management is essential. Engage teams early, communicate the benefits of the transition, and create enthusiasm for adopting new workflows and technologies. 2. Define Roles and Provide Comprehensive Support for Go-Live • Establish clear roles and responsibilities to streamline processes and ensure compliance with security profiles, such as role-based access controls / leveraging templates likely a good area to invest time and energy energy in. • A successful go-live hinges on real-time support. Having a dedicated team of Epic experts on-site during the transition ensures users feel confident and challenges are addressed promptly. 3. Prioritize Rigorous Training Training is the cornerstone of successful adoption. Offer general system training alongside role-specific instruction. Involve trainers early in the design and build phases to align training with real-world workflows and scenarios. 4. Engage Advisory Councils for Stakeholder Alignment Set up advisory councils with key stakeholders—including clinical and administrative leaders—to ensure the system design reflects the needs of end-users. These councils can also provide feedback throughout the migration and ensure alignment with organizational goals. 5. Patience, Support, and Strategic Partnerships Proficiency develops over time, so ongoing support is critical. Partnering with consulting firms that align with your culture and goals can streamline the transition and help avoid costly pitfalls. I thought these were important takeaways from the article, especially considering the notable trend of organizations on Cerner and other platforms exploring migrations to Epic. Organizations in the middle of switching electronic health record platforms might benefit from reviewing these key components to ensure a smoother and more effective transition. #EHR #HealthcareIT #DigitalTransformation https://lnkd.in/eAmCrxJA

### Key Areas of Focus for EPIC Professionals in 2024 As we delve into 2024, EPIC professionals—those working with EPIC Systems, face a landscape brimming with challenges and opportunities. With the healthcare industry rapidly evolving, here are the key areas capturing their interest this year. #### 1. **Interoperability and Data Integration** Seamlessly exchanging patient information across different healthcare systems is critical. Professionals are focused on developing and implementing solutions for effortless data integration from various sources, including standardized data formats and leveraging APIs. #### 2. **Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring** EPIC professionals are integrating telehealth capabilities within the EPIC EHR system, facilitating virtual consultations and incorporating remote patient monitoring tools. These enhancements lead to improved patient outcomes and more efficient care delivery. #### 3. **Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning** AI and ML are transforming healthcare, and EPIC professionals are at the forefront. They are integrating AI and ML algorithms into EPIC systems to enhance clinical decision support, predict patient outcomes, and automate routine tasks. This technology helps clinicians make informed decisions, identify health risks earlier, and improve overall patient care. #### 4. **Patient Engagement and Experience** Improving patient engagement and experience is another key interest area. EPIC professionals are making the patient portal more user-friendly and interactive, with features that allow patients to easily schedule appointments, access medical records, and communicate with healthcare providers. Enhancing the patient experience improves satisfaction and encourages active participation in healthcare. #### 5. **Cybersecurity and Data Privacy** EPIC professionals are implementing robust security measures to protect sensitive patient information. This includes regular system updates, employee training on cybersecurity best practices, and advanced encryption techniques to maintain patient trust and comply with regulatory requirements. #### 6. **Value-Based Care Initiatives** EPIC professionals leverage their EHR systems to support these initiatives by using data analytics to track and improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance care coordination. #### 7. **Training and Professional Development** EPIC professionals seek opportunities to stay updated on the latest system features, best practices, and regulatory changes. This includes attending conferences, participating in online courses, and obtaining relevant certifications. #### 8. **Sustainability and Green Healthcare** Sustainability is an increasingly important consideration in healthcare. EPIC professionals are exploring ways to reduce the environmental impact of their systems and operations. By embracing green practices, EPIC professionals contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system.

Below are 25 hospitals, healthcare organizations and health systems opting for an Epic EHR system in 2024, as reported by Becker's. #Epic #EHR #HealthcareIT #Beckers Watertown, S.D.-based Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has affiliated with Sanford Health to implement Epic as its new EHR system.  CommonSpirit's South region, which reported $7.2 billion in revenue in fiscal 2024, will consolidate its EHR systems and transition to a single version of Epic, with the first "go-live" set for June 2025. Indianapolis-based IU Health intends to go live with Epic in mid-2027. Newark, Del.-based ChristianaCare plans to switch from Oracle Health to Epic for its EHR. Lake Charles (La.) Memorial Health System transitioned to an Epic EHR system after 18 months of preparation.  Salem (Ill.) Township Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital, is moving from an athenahealth EHR to an Epic one.  Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health said it is moving to an Epic EHR system.  On Aug. 1 Meridian, Miss.-based Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center implemented an Epic EHR system. Pittsburg, Kan.-based Ascension Via Christi Hospital, recently acquired by St. Louis-based Mercy, plans to switch to Epic for its EHR. Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Avera Health is moving to an Epic EHR system.  Lewes, Del.-based Beebe Healthcare is moving to an Epic EHR system. Moscow, Idaho-based Gritman Medical Center, a critical access, not-for-profit hospital, went live with OCHIN Epic.  New Brunswick, N.J.-based Saint Peter's Healthcare System plans to move to an Epic EHR following its merger with Morristown, N.J.-based Atlantic Health System. Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System launched Epic, its new EHR system, with the first wave of users.  South Charleston, W.Va.-based WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals went live with an Epic EHR system on May 1.  Rockledge, Fla.-based Health First plans to spend more than $160 million over the next two years to transition to an Epic EHR system. Springfield, Mo.-based Jordan Valley Community Health Center is moving to an Epic EHR system. Orange, Calif.-based UCI Health will transition four former Tenet hospitals from a Cerner EHR system to an Epic EHR system. Georgetown, S.C.-based Tidelands Health completed its $40 million transition to an Epic EHR system.  Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center went live with an Epic EHR system on March 2.  San Diego-based Sharp HealthCare went live with an Epic EHR system on March 1, a spokesperson for the health system shared with Becker's.   Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan Health has moved its primary care group, Coastal Medical, to an Epic EHR system. Great Falls, Mont.-based Benefis Health System is switching from a Meditech and NextGen Healthcare EHR system to an Epic one. Scottsbluff, Neb.-based Regional West Health Services is moving from an Oracle Health EHR system to an Epic one. Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health is transitioning its Mid Dakota Clinics in Bismarck, N.D., to an Epic EHR system.

This is an excellent article which describe how physicians feel about EHR’s in general. Be it EPIC or CERNER its similar story when it comes to patient outcomes. The implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) has transformed healthcare, but recent studies reveal significant challenges that we must address across all systems. For instance, a 2022 study found that only 4.7% of physicians reported easy access to patient information, pointing to a critical usability gap across various EHR platforms (Kirk et al., 2022). Additionally, a 2019 analysis indicated that while modern EHRs improved certain process measures, they had no significant impact on patient outcomes, with only 22% of clinicians feeling that EHRs enhanced patient care (Garg et al., 2019). The emotional toll on healthcare professionals is equally concerning. A 2020 study revealed that physicians working after hours on EHR tasks were 4.8 to 12.5 times more likely to experience emotional exhaustion (Shanafelt et al., 2020). This highlights the urgent need for EHR systems that prioritize both provider well-being and patient care. I feel collaborating with clinicians to better understand their needs can drive meaningful improvements that serve both providers and patients effectively.

https://lnkd.in/eh5Z8NPq I think this article is missing the mark regarding Epic? 🤔 Here's why: Blaming Epic for documentation burden and billing requirements is misguided. Those are driven by payers, regulators, and individual organizational decisions, not EHR vendors. Its a product of our healthcare system in general. Epic simply provides the tools to meet those requirements. Epic's dominance comes from responsiveness, not exploitation. They've consistently listened to customer feedback and adapted their system. Most organizations can not keep up with the enhancements they provide. We could all learn from that approach! Compare that to many of the clunky EHRs out there, and it's clear why Epic leads the way. While Epic's success is undeniable, we need a diverse and competitive health tech landscape where innovation flourishes to ensure the future of healthcare thrives. This benefits providers and patients alike. What's the best way to balance the benefits of Epic's best in class platform with the need for a diverse and competitive market? #EHR #HealthTech #DoctorBurnout #EpicSystems #Innovation #MarketDominance

Sharing insights from NEECO Board Chairman Brian Herrick on a recent article that places undue blame on Epic for the documentation burden and billing complexities in our healthcare system. The reality is that these challenges are largely driven by payers, regulatory requirements, and individual organizational decisions—not EHR vendors like Epic, who provide the tools to meet these demands. Epic’s success comes from its commitment to continuous improvement and its responsiveness to user feedback, setting it apart in the industry. However, fostering a balanced and competitive health tech landscape is crucial for ongoing innovation that benefits both providers and patients. This raises the question: How can we balance Epic's leading platform with the need for a diverse, competitive market? Or can we?! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! #EHR #HealthTech #DoctorBurnout #EpicSystems #Innovation #MarketDominance #IsAItheAnswer #NewEnglandHealthcare #Epic

🔍 The Epic EHR Wonderland: A Tale of High Hopes and Lingering Dissatisfaction Since the rollout of Epic EHR, funded by the HITECH Act of 2009, healthcare providers have faced mixed experiences. A 2022 study from Finland and Denmark revealed that 32% of users were dissatisfied with Epic, citing poor usability despite improved technical performance. Strikingly, only a small fraction of physicians (4.7%) and nurses (7.3%) found accessing patient information easy, with even fewer agreeing that it improved patient care. Meanwhile, a 2019 US study showed that while modern EHRs enhanced certain process measures, they made no significant impact on patient outcomes. Worse, the emotional toll on healthcare workers is substantial. A 2020 study found that physicians working after hours on EHR tasks were 4.8 to 12.5 times more likely to experience emotional exhaustion. As we continue to navigate the balance between technology and care, it’s critical to re-examine whether systems like Epic are truly serving healthcare providers and patients. #HealthcareIT #EpicEHR #PhysicianBurnout #HealthcareInnovation #DigitalHealth

Memorial Hermann Health System has successfully transitioned to Epic, aiming to boost provider and nursing satisfaction, enhance patient engagement, and streamline revenue cycle management. Epic is now operational in 15 hospitals and 250 care sites, and the health system is reaping substantial benefits. Amanda Hammel, the SVP and CIO, highlighted the swift adoption of Care Everywhere, Epic's interoperability platform crucial for secure data exchange among healthcare entities and EHR systems. Ms. Hammel shared the impressive milestone of exchanging millions of records bidirectionally in just 19 days, a notable achievement in a city with diverse health systems and independent providers. Furthermore, the My Memorial Hermann app has garnered active usage from 56% of patients, with 55% utilizing its functionalities to prepay copays before appointments. The utilization of Epic at Memorial Hermann signifies a step towards improved healthcare operations, emphasizing data sharing, patient engagement, and financial processes. The success of implementing Care Everywhere and the high patient engagement through the app underscore the positive impact of this transition. #Epic #EHR #HealthcareIT

Over the past year, Epic has seen a steady rise in its market share, now being utilized in 39% of acute care hospitals in the U.S. Following closely behind is Oracle Health at 23.4%, with Meditech holding a share of 16%. Over half of all hospital beds in the U.S. are now covered by Epic, while Oracle Health secures 23.8% of hospital beds. #HealthcareIT #MarketShare #Epic #OracleHealth #Meditech

Epic is winning the EHR wars. Per Modern Healthcare: In 2017, Cerner Corporation and Epic were used by approximately the same percentage of acute-care hospitals. By the end of 2022, Epic was in 35.9% of hospitals compared with 24.9% for Cerner/Oracle Health, according to KLAS Research. Those statistics underscore Epic’s dominance inside the biggest hospitals. Some 47% of acute-care hospital beds were affiliated with Epic in 2022, compared with 25.8% of beds linked to the Cerner/Oracle Health system, KLAS found. Epic has gained 434 hospital customers representing 94,656 beds since 2017. Oracle Health has added 99 hospitals in that time frame and another competitor, Meditech, has added 14. The numbers are likely to tip more in Epic’s favor. Earlier this month, Salt Lake City, Utah-based Intermountain and Pittsburgh-based UPMC each announced they would migrate their hospital EHR systems to Epic. Each previously used Oracle Health. ... Several EHR companies primarily serve clinicians outside the hospital. NextGen Healthcare and athenahealth serve medical groups and physician practices. Private equity firm Thoma Bravo acquired NextGen for $1.8 billion earlier this month while Bain Capital and Hellman & Friedman paid $17 billion for Athenahealth in February 2022. Many of the smaller EHR companies lack the resources to compete with Epic. #emergencymedicine American College of Emergency Physicians American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants (SEMPA) American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP) Emergency Medicine Residents' Association (EMRA)