Epic UGM 2017
Magic was in the air at this year’s Epic Users’ Group Meeting in Verona, Wisconsin.
“World of Wizards” was the theme of the vendor’s annual event, which drew nearly 17,000 individuals from around the globe to discuss EHRs and everything health IT.
Reducing Clinical and Staff Burnout with AI Automation
As technology advances, AI-powered tools will increasingly reduce the administrative burdens on healthcare providers.
In keeping with the theme, Epic CEO Judy Faulkner came on stage fully decked out in wizarding garb as the Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour” played over the speakers.
“Don’t we wish we could wave our magic wands and fix the world’s problems?” she asked the audience. Problems ranging from war to cancer could be solved with the flick of a wrist. But we only have each other in the fight to make the world a better place, she added.
During her executive address on September 26, Faulkner went on to outline multiple points of interest related to her company and its customers.
One goal, she said, is to continue to make Epic’s software “a joy to use.”
Transforming Patient Care: The Role of AI-Powered Assistants
The progress in artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping patient care, across various dimensions, from facilitating faster discharge to curating treatment plans and suggesting lifestyle changes.
At UGM a few years ago, for example, Faulkner asked attendees whether they’d want MyChart to be available in Spanish. Most said yes. As it turns out, the Spanish version had already been available for quite some time.
“We’re delivering so much technology, and too many people don’t know it and don’t turn it on,” Faulkner said. “We don’t think there’s good enough advertising.”
That’s why Epic is changing how it informs users of new features. Many of the new application releases will automatically be on in users’ Epic systems.
Another area of focus for the Verona company is interoperability.
“All of our live customers can interoperate,” Faulkner said. “We’re told that we’re the only vendor who can do that.”
She added that there are two million exchanges per day using Care Everywhere, Epic’s in-house interoperability platform.
Christopher Longhurst, CIO of UC San Diego Health, an Epic customer, corroborated these thoughts on data sharing and collaboration.
“Care Everywhere is impressive because the community of clients has all opted into the network to share,” he said during a post-executive address meeting. “None of the other vendors have such a high percentage of members who have opted in.”
And it’s more than just Care Everywhere. Earlier this month, the vendor unveiled Share Everywhere, which allows patients to authorize any provider with Internet access to view their record in Epic and send progress notes back.
Despite these advancements, Faulkner shared hopes of moving beyond the electronic health record.
“The EHR is so last year,” she said.
Instead, it’s time to move toward comprehensive health record, which includes more than information from the hospital. It encompasses what a patient eats, how they sleep, their education, and their social support and loneliness levels.
For healthcare organizations, going beyond the four walls of the hospital and making use of the value of additional data are crucial next steps.
“It’s boundless, the possibilities,” Faulkner noted. “And you are saving lives.”
Photo: Epic