NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication
Student Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX 6412 Analysis of Clinical Information Systems and Application to Nursing Practice
Prof. Name
Date
Manuscript for Publication
This manuscript is intended for submission to the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA), focusing on the deployment of Epic Systems as an Electronic Health Record (EHR) platform at Sunrise Health Care. JAMIA is a premier journal that publishes research on health informatics and digital health innovations. It emphasizes topics such as EHR systems, data analytics, and clinical decision support, aiming to advance medical informatics through evidence-based findings and innovative approaches.
The manuscript evaluates how Epic Systems enhances workflow efficiency, patient safety, and healthcare quality at Sunrise Health Care. It aligns with the organization’s strategic objectives and provides actionable recommendations to improve stakeholder engagement, optimize outcomes, and increase patient satisfaction.
Evaluation of Epic Systems EHR Use for Interprofessional Stakeholders
The implementation of Epic Systems at Sunrise Health Care marks a pivotal step in fostering interprofessional collaboration and stakeholder engagement through EHR technology. Epic, as a leading EHR platform, is designed to optimize workflows, ensure patient safety, and elevate healthcare quality (Chishtie et al., 2023). Within an interprofessional care team, Epic facilitates seamless communication, secure data sharing, and coordinated care planning, all essential for delivering high-quality patient care.
At Sunrise Health Care, Epic’s integrated patient records and clinical decision-support tools enhance physicians’ diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning (Chishtie et al., 2023). By incorporating clinical guidelines into the system, Epic helps physicians adhere to evidence-based practices, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Nurses benefit from the system’s intuitive interface, which supports accurate documentation and real-time patient monitoring (Jiang et al., 2021). This reduces the potential for errors and contributes to maintaining high patient safety standards.
Improving Workflows for Safety and Quality Outcomes
Epic Systems has substantially optimized workflows at Sunrise Health Care, improving both patient safety and quality outcomes. The platform enables healthcare professionals to access comprehensive patient data in real time, fostering effective communication across the care continuum (Jiang et al., 2021). For example, when a patient is transferred from the emergency department to an inpatient unit, all care team members can immediately view medical history, lab results, and treatment plans, reducing errors and enhancing patient safety.
Additionally, Epic’s Clinical Decision Support (CDS) tools provide evidence-based alerts, reminders, and guideline recommendations directly within the workflow (Alexiuk et al., 2024). These tools allow clinicians to make informed decisions rapidly. By integrating decision support, documentation, and order entry, Epic supports a holistic approach to patient care and strengthens communication among interdisciplinary teams (Adeniyi et al., 2024).
NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication
Supporting the Strategic Plan of Sunrise Health Care
The Epic EHR system aligns closely with Sunrise Health Care’s strategic objectives, which focus on patient-centered care, operational efficiency, and collaborative practice. By centralizing reliable patient data, Epic empowers healthcare providers to make precise clinical decisions, improving outcomes and patient satisfaction (Johnson, 2024).
Epic also promotes operational efficiency by automating routine tasks such as documentation, billing, and scheduling, thereby reducing administrative burden (Wang et al., 2024). This allows staff to allocate more time to direct patient care while generating cost savings. Moreover, Epic’s interoperability with other health technologies enhances system efficiency, streamlining data exchange and improving care coordination (Chishtie et al., 2023).
Recommendations for Improvement
To maximize the benefits of Epic EHR at Sunrise Health Care, several key recommendations are proposed:
- Ongoing Staff Training: Continuous training for all healthcare stakeholders ensures proficiency in advanced Epic features, such as decision support and analytics, which reduces errors and improves data accuracy (Ali et al., 2023).
- Interface Customization: Tailoring the EHR interface to the specific needs of different departments can enhance user experience and workflow efficiency (Sreejith & Sinimole, 2024).
- Patient Engagement Enhancements: Expanding patient portal functionality and integrating telehealth services empowers patients to actively manage their health, thereby improving satisfaction and outcomes (Janssen et al., 2023).
Conclusion
The deployment of Epic Systems at Sunrise Health Care has enhanced the organization’s ability to deliver safe, efficient, and patient-centered care. The platform has facilitated seamless interprofessional collaboration, improved diagnostic accuracy, and supported evidence-based decision-making through integrated tools and real-time data access. By streamlining workflows and reducing administrative tasks, Epic allows healthcare providers to focus on direct patient care, increasing operational efficiency. Moreover, tracking patient data and enabling targeted interventions have contributed to improved health outcomes. To fully leverage Epic’s capabilities, ongoing staff training, interface customization, and expansion of patient engagement tools are recommended.
Table: Evaluation of Epic Systems EHR Implementation at Sunrise Health Care
| Component | Impact on Stakeholders | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Epic EHR Use | Streamlines workflows, enhances patient safety, supports physician and nurse decisions (Chishtie et al., 2023; Jiang et al., 2021). | Implement continuous training for all stakeholders to enhance proficiency and reduce errors (Ali et al., 2023). |
| Workflows and Quality Outcomes | Real-time patient data access improves safety and reduces errors. CDS tools support informed decision-making (Alexiuk et al., 2024). | Regular evaluation of system performance to identify improvement areas (Adeniyi et al., 2024). |
| Strategic Plan Alignment | Supports patient care, operational efficiency, and collaboration (Johnson, 2024; Wang et al., 2024). | Customize interface for departmental needs (Sreejith & Sinimole, 2024). Enhance patient engagement tools, including telehealth (Janssen et al., 2023). |
References
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
Chishtie, J., Sapiro, N., Wiebe, N., Rabatach, L., Lorenzetti, D., Leung, A. A., … 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., … Drozda, J. P. (2021). Feasibility of capturing real-world data from health information technology systems at multiple centers to assess cardiac ablation device outcomes. 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
NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication
Wang, Z., West, C. P., Vaa Stelling, B. E., Hasan, B., Simha, S., Saadi, S., … Murad, M. H. (2024). Measuring documentation burden in healthcare. Final Technical Brief Number 47. https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/related_files/documentation-burden-prepub-tech-brief.pdf