NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication

This manuscript is framed for the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA), focusing on the implementation of Epic Systems as an Electronic Health Record (EHR) initiative at Sunrise Health Care. JAMIA publishes cutting-edge research on health informatics and digital health technologies.

It covers topics like EHR systems, data analytics, and clinical decision support, aiming to advance the field through evidence-based findings and innovative practices in medical informatics. The discussion aims to evaluate Epic Systems’ effectiveness in streamlining workflows, enhancing patient safety, and accomplishing quality outcomes at Sunrise Health Care. It will align with organizational strategic goals and offer recommendations for further improvements to meet stakeholder needs, optimize outcomes, and boost patient satisfaction. 

Evaluation of Epic Systems EHR Use for Interprofessional Stakeholders 

The implementation of Epic Systems at Sunrise Health Care represents a significant step towards optimizing interprofessional collaboration and stakeholder engagement through the use of EHRs. Epic Systems, a leading EHR platform, is designed to streamline workflows, enhance patient safety, and improve overall healthcare quality (Chishtie et al., 2023). Within an interprofessional care team, the use of Epic facilitates seamless communication, data sharing, and coordinated care planning, which are crucial for delivering high-quality patient care.

In the context of Sunrise Health Care, Epic’s comprehensive patient records and decision-support tools enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning for physicians (Chishtie et al., 2023). Moreover, its integration with clinical guidelines helps physicians adhere to evidence-based practices, improving patient outcomes. Nurses benefit from Epic’s intuitive interface, which facilitates accurate documentation and real-time patient monitoring (Jiang et al., 2021). This feature reduces the likelihood of errors by providing alerts, maintaining patient safety, and ensuring that care plans are consistently followed.

NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication

Administrative staff find Epic helpful in managing appointments, billing, and insurance claims, as well as improving operational efficiency. The system’s interoperability with other health information systems ensures seamless data exchange (Chishtie et al., 2023), reducing administrative burden and allowing staff to focus on patient care. The health information system, mainly Epic Systems, enables real-time access to patient information across different departments and specialties. This real-time accessibility helps reduce medical errors due to communication breakdowns, ensuring that all team members are working with the most up-to-date information (Jiang et al., 2021).

The EHR system’s ability to integrate various functions, including decision-support tools, clinical documentation, and order entry, supports a holistic approach to patient care. These systems also enhance communication and collaboration among interdisciplinary, resulting in an integrated approach to care (Adeniyi et al., 2024). However, continuous evaluation is necessary to identify areas for improvement, such as enhancing user interface design and providing ongoing training for staff. Addressing these areas will ensure that the EHR system continues to meet stakeholder needs, supports optimal patient care, and contributes to the overall success of Sunrise Health Care.

Improving Workflows for Safety and Quality Outcomes

The improved information system workflows through Epic Systems are crucial for patient safety and quality outcomes. 

• Epic’s streamlined processes enable seamless communication across the care continuum, permitting healthcare workers to access holistic patient information in real time (Jiang et al., 2021). For example, when a patient is transferred from the emergency department to an inpatient unit, Epic EHR allows all relevant care team members to instantly access the patient’s history, lab results, and treatment plans. This real-time access ensures a care continuum and minimizes errors, enhancing patient safety.
• Secondly, Epic’s decision support tools are central to promoting safe practices. These tools provide evidence-based alerts, reminders, and clinical guidelines directly within the workflow, helping clinicians make informed decisions quickly. For instance, a study presents how the integration of CDS tools in Epic EMR systems for kidney failure patients allowed physicians to automatically calculate risk equations, improving their workflow and enhancing patient health outcomes (Alexiuk et al., 2024).

NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication

• Additionally, Epic EHR enhances quality outcomes by supporting standardized care protocols and ensuring adherence to best practices. The system’s ability to track and analyze patient data over time allows for continuous monitoring of health outcomes and the identification of areas for improvement, enabling the organization to implement targeted interventions that address patient needs and improve overall care quality.
• Finally, workflow automation in Epic also contributes to efficiency, minimizes time for manual entries, and allows clinicians to focus more on direct patient care. By reducing administrative tasks and streamlining communication, Epic enhances the workflow, ensuring that providers can deliver timely and coordinated care, which is essential for achieving positive patient outcomes (Chishtie et al., 2023). 

Supporting the Strategic Plan of the Sunrise Health Care

The introduction of Epic EHR at Sunrise Health Care is closely aligned with the institution’s strategic plan, particularly in enhancing patient care, improving operational efficiency, fostering a collaborative work environment, enhancing patient engagement, increasing regulatory compliance, and managing population health data. 

Patient Care Quality 

A key component of Sunrise Health Care’s strategic plan is to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. Epic EHR allows healthcare providers to access reliable and centralized patient data, enabling them to make accurate decisions (Johnson, 2024). This contributes to better clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction, as providers have real-time access to comprehensive data, diminishing the chances of errors and ensuring continuity of care.

Operational Efficiency 

By automating routine tasks such as documentation, billing, and scheduling, the system reduces administrative burdens on staff (Wang et al., 2024), directing them to focused patient care. This efficiency translates into cost savings and more streamlined operations, which are essential components of the organization’s long-term financial sustainability. Additionally, the system’s interoperability with other healthcare technologies enables seamless data exchange, further enhancing operational efficiency (Chishtie et al., 2023). 

Collaborative Work Environment

From an interprofessional care team perspective, Epic EHR fosters collaboration by providing a shared platform where all stakeholders, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and administrative staff, can communicate and coordinate care effectively (Adeniyi et al., 2024). This collaboration is crucial in managing complex cases where input from multiple disciplines is required to develop and implement a comprehensive care plan.

Patient Engagement

Epic EHR significantly enhances patient engagement, a critical component of Sunrise Health Care’s strategic plan to deliver patient-centered care. The system’s integrated patient portal allows patients to access their healthcare plan and communicate with providers. Through these portals, patients become empowered and actively involved in managing their health, increasing their adherence to care plans, and improving outcomes (Carini et al., 2021). 

Regulatory Compliance

Epic EHR plays a vital role in ensuring regulatory compliance, which is essential for Sunrise Health Care’s operational integrity and financial viability. The system’s comprehensive documentation, audit trails, and automated reporting features facilitate adherence to various regulatory standards, including HIPAA policy, Meaningful Use, and quality reporting requirements. Compliance with these regulations reduces the risk of compliance-related issues and penalties, ensuring that the organization remains eligible for incentive programs (Trout et al., 2022). 

Population Data Management

Epic EHR’s advanced analytics and reporting tools support Sunrise Health Care’s strategic focus on population data management. By collecting and evaluating patient data, the system enables healthcare workers to analyze trends, manage chronic conditions, and implement preventive care strategies across patient populations (Chishtie et al., 2023). This proactive approach helps reduce hospital readmissions, manage healthcare costs, and improve overall community health outcomes. 

Recommendations for Improvement

Numerous recommendations are proposed to optimize the use of Epic EHR at Sunrise Health Care, support team needs, and enhance outcomes and patient satisfaction. Firstly, ongoing training and development for all stakeholders are crucial (Ali et al., 2023). Regularly scheduled training sessions will ensure that staff are proficient in using the system’s advanced features, such as decision support tools, analytics, and patient engagement portals. This will reduce user errors, improve data accuracy, and enhance workflow efficiency, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes.

Secondly, customizing the EHR interface to meet the specific needs of different stakeholders can significantly improve user experience and satisfaction (Sreejith & Sinimole, 2024). For example, creating tailored dashboards for physicians, nurses, and administrative staff can streamline their access to the most relevant information, reducing time spent navigating the system. Finally, enhancing patient engagement tools within Epic is essential for improving patient satisfaction. Expanding the functionalities of the patient portal, such as integrating telehealth services and enabling more robust patient-provider communication, can empower patients to play an active role in their healthcare journey (Janssen et al., 2023).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the implementation of Epic Systems at Sunrise Health Care has significantly advanced the organization’s ability to provide efficient, safe, and patient-centered care. Epic’s comprehensive EHR platform facilitates seamless interprofessional collaboration, enhances diagnostic accuracy, and supports evidence-based decision-making through its integrated tools and real-time data access.

By streamlining workflows, Epic has reduced administrative burdens, enabling healthcare providers to focus more on direct patient care and improving overall operational efficiency. Moreover, Epic System’s decision-support tools and real-time data sharing have been pivotal in reducing medical errors and improving patient safety. These features ensure that all team members are informed with up-to-date patient information, promoting continuity of care and adherence to best practices. 

NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication

Additionally, the EHR system’s capabilities in tracking and analyzing patient data contribute to better health outcomes by identifying trends and enabling targeted interventions. Aligning with Sunrise Health Care’s strategic goals, Epic supports delivering quality services, improving operational efficiency, enhancing team collaboration, enhancing patient engagement, augmenting compliance with regulations, and aiding in effective population health management, crucial for maintaining operational integrity and managing healthcare costs.

To maximize the benefits of Epic, ongoing staff training, customization of the EHR interface, and enhancement of patient engagement tools are recommended. These strategies will ensure that Sunrise Health Care continues to meet stakeholder needs, optimize patient care, and achieve high levels of patient satisfaction. Overall, Epic Systems represents a transformative asset in advancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery at Sunrise Health Care.

References 

Adeniyi, A. O., Arowoogun, J. O., Chidi, R., Okolo, C. A., Babawarun, O., Adeniyi, A. O., Arowoogun, J. O., Chidi, R., Okolo, C. A., & Babawarun, O. (2024). The impact of electronic health records on patient care and outcomes: A comprehensive review. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 21(2), 1446–1455. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.21.2.0592 

Alexiuk, M., Elgubtan, H., & Tangri, N. (2024). Clinical decision support tools in the EMR. Kidney International Reports, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ekir.2023.10.019 

Ali, S., Khan, H. M., Shah, J., & Ahmed, K. (2023). An electronic health record system implementation in a resource-limited country—lessons learned. Digital Health, 9(9). https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231203660 

NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication

Carini, E., Villani, L., Pezzullo, A. M., Gentili, A., Barbara, A., Ricciardi, W., & Boccia, S. (2021). The impact of digital patient portals on health outcomes, system efficiency, and patient attitudes: Updated systematic literature review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(9). https://doi.org/10.2196/26189

Chishtie, J., Sapiro, N., Wiebe, N., Rabatach, L., Lorenzetti, D., Leung, A. A., Rabi, D., Quan, H., & Eastwood, C. A. (2023). Use of Epic electronic health record system for health care research: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25(1), e51003. https://doi.org/10.2196/51003 

Janssen, A., Keep, M., Selvadurai, H., & Shaw, T. (2023). Health professionals’ experiences with a patient portal pre and post launch: A qualitative study. Health Policy and Technology, 12(3), 100761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlpt.2023.100761 

Jiang, G., Dhruva, S. S., Chen, J., Schulz, W. L., Doshi, A. A., Noseworthy, P. A., Zhang, S., Yu, Y., Patrick Young, H., Brandt, E., Ervin, K. R., Shah, N. D., Ross, J. S., Coplan, P., & Drozda, J. P. (2021). Feasibility of capturing real-world data from health information technology systems at multiple centers to assess cardiac ablation device outcomes: A fit-for-purpose informatics analysis report. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 28(10), 2241–2250. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocab117 

Johnson, R. J. (2024). EPIC® and high reliability in healthcare: An evidence-based commentary. Journal of Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 1(4), 84–96. https://doi.org/10.14302/issn.2641-5526.jmid-24-4893

NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication

Sreejith, R., & Sinimole. K. R. (2024). User-centric evaluation of EHR software through NLP-driven investigation: Implications for product development and user experience. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 10(1), 100206–100206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2023.100206

Trout, K. E., Chen, L.-W., Wilson, F. A., Tak, H. J., & Palm, D. (2022). The impact of meaningful use and electronic health records on hospital patient safety. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19), 12525. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912525 

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