NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication

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Capella university

NURS-FPX 6412 Analysis of Clinical Information Systems and Application to Nursing Practice

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Date

Manuscript for Publication

Epic Systems is a dynamic cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) platform designed to centralize and streamline patient information access. Its primary function is to offer healthcare professionals—including physicians, nurses, and administrative staff—a unified platform to efficiently retrieve, update, and manage patient data from any location with internet access (Chishtie et al., 2023). This web-based access enhances data transparency and facilitates timely clinical decisions, crucial for patient safety and coordinated care delivery.

The implementation of Epic Systems delivers multiple advantages for interprofessional teams. First, it improves continuity of care through comprehensive and real-time patient records, allowing all stakeholders to stay informed about a patient’s health journey. Second, its interoperability ensures that medical professionals from different departments or even healthcare organizations can collaborate without delay. Scalia et al. (2021) highlight how integrated workflows within Epic promote effective communication and minimize treatment errors through shared data access. Furthermore, transitioning to this cloud-based solution reduces the reliance on physical infrastructure, which decreases overhead costs and supports long-term financial sustainability (Scalia et al., 2021).

The table below summarizes the system’s key advantages for interprofessional collaboration:

Benefit	Description
Real-Time Data Access	Enables clinicians to view and update patient records instantly
Enhanced Interprofessional Workflow	Supports communication between diverse healthcare providers
Cost Reduction	Minimizes hardware requirements and physical infrastructure investment
Cloud Accessibility	Promotes care delivery across multiple locations and facilities

Optimizing Workflows and Quality Outcomes with Epic Systems

Epic Systems significantly enhances clinical workflows, supporting patient safety and care quality. Real-time access to medical records allows providers to view lab results, allergies, and medication histories instantly, streamlining diagnostic and treatment decisions. This capability improves care coordination and mitigates delays that could otherwise impact patient outcomes (Bhardwaj et al., 2022).

By embedding standardized, evidence-based care pathways, Epic ensures that all patients receive consistent, high-quality care. This reduces variability in clinical practices and encourages guideline adherence. Additionally, decision support tools—such as clinical alerts and best-practice prompts—are integrated into the platform, providing immediate guidance that minimizes risks and improves efficiency (Hassett et al., 2022).

Another strength of Epic Systems is its ability to support robust communication among healthcare professionals. Access to updated patient data reduces reliance on fragmented communication, thereby lowering the likelihood of miscommunication. Epic also includes analytics capabilities that provide insights into performance metrics, which inform continuous quality improvement (Al Ani et al., 2022).

NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication

Workflow Feature	Functionality
Real-Time Patient Info	Enables rapid access to current data for clinical decisions
Evidence-Based Protocols	Embeds standardized care pathways to minimize variation
Decision Support Tools	Offers alerts and guidance to prevent errors
Communication Tools	Enhances provider communication through data sharing
Data Analytics	Identifies trends and areas for care improvement

These functions collectively streamline healthcare operations and elevate the quality of care provided to patients.

Strategic Alignment and Optimization of Epic Systems

The integration of Epic Systems aligns closely with healthcare organizations’ strategic goals by advancing care quality, promoting efficiency, and maintaining regulatory compliance. For example, real-time access to health information and evidence-informed decision tools help reduce errors, promote accurate diagnoses, and improve patient outcomes—all of which align with the organizational mission to provide safe, effective care (Beauvais et al., 2020).

Another strategic priority supported by Epic Systems is interprofessional collaboration. The platform’s seamless data sharing capabilities foster unified decision-making, reduce redundancies, and improve team coordination (Hassett et al., 2022). These improvements translate into operational efficiencies and reduced healthcare expenditures.

NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication

In terms of organizational effectiveness, Epic automates administrative tasks such as documentation and billing, decreasing the burden on clinical staff and increasing time spent on patient care (Bhardwaj et al., 2022). Additionally, robust privacy controls built into the system ensure adherence to HIPAA and other regulatory standards. These features help protect sensitive patient information and prevent data breaches, promoting patient trust and meeting compliance objectives (Epstein et al., 2020).

To further enhance Epic Systems’ utility, several strategies are recommended. First, customizing the user interface and simplifying navigation can increase usability. Sittig et al. (2022) emphasize that intuitive design significantly boosts adoption and accuracy. Second, incorporating patient feedback into system refinements helps tailor the platform to better meet user needs (Horn et al., 2021). Third, robust training programs ensure that staff fully understand Epic’s capabilities, reducing errors and optimizing workflow (Murto et al., 2022). Lastly, maintaining vigilant data privacy practices ensures continued trust in digital care platforms.

Strategic Goal	Epic Systems Contribution
Enhance Care Quality & Safety	Provides real-time access, standardization, and decision support tools
Improve Team Collaboration	Facilitates unified data sharing across departments
Increase Operational Efficiency	Automates tasks, improves documentation, reduces administrative overhead
Ensure Data Privacy & Compliance	Implements security protocols that comply with legal and ethical standards
Elevate Patient Satisfaction	Enables user-friendly design, training, and feedback integration

Conclusion

Epic Systems serves as a transformative EHR platform that significantly enhances healthcare delivery by improving care coordination, streamlining workflows, and supporting strategic objectives. Its real-time access capabilities, embedded decision tools, and data analytics empower care teams to make informed decisions while reducing operational inefficiencies. By prioritizing user training, patient feedback, system design, and data security, healthcare organizations can maximize Epic’s value. Ultimately, Epic Systems represents a critical asset in achieving high-quality, secure, and patient-centered care delivery.

References

Al Ani, M., Garas, G., Hollingshead, J., Cheetham, D., Athanasiou, T., & Patel, V. (2022). Which electronic health record system should we use? – A systematic review. Medical Principles and Practice, 31(4), 342–351. https://doi.org/10.1159/000525135

Beauvais, B., Kruse, C., Fulton, L., Shanmugam, R., Ramamonjiarivelo, Z., & Brooks, M. (2020). Electronic health record vendors: An evaluation of the association with hospital financial and quality performance. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(4), e23961. https://doi.org/10.2196/23961

NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication

Bhardwaj, S., Merrey, J. W., Bishop, M. A., Yeh, H.-C., & Epstein, J. A. (2022). Impact of real-time benefit tools on patients’ access to medications: A retrospective cohort study. The American Journal of Medicine, 135(11), 1315-1319.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.06.017

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

Epstein, R. H., Hofer, I. S., Salari, V., & Gabel, E. (2020). Successful implementation of a perioperative data warehouse using another hospital’s published specification from epic’s electronic health record system. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 132(2), 465–474. https://doi.org/10.1213/ane.0000000000004806

Hassett, M. J., Cronin, C., Tsou, T. C., Wedge, J., Bian, J., Dizon, D. S., Hazard-Jenkins, H., Osarogiagbon, R. U., Wong, S., Basch, E., Austin, T., McCleary, N., & Schrag, D. (2022). ESyM: An electronic health record–integrated patient-reported outcomes–based cancer symptom management program used by six diverse health systems. JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, 6(6), e2100137. https://doi.org/10.1200/cci.21.00137

Horn, M. E., Reinke, E. K., Mather, R. C., O’Donnell, J. D., & George, S. Z. (2021). Electronic health record–integrated approach for collection of patient-reported outcome measures: A retrospective evaluation. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 626. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06626-7

Murto, S. H., Makus, D., Moore, S., Duffy, K. W., Maniate, J., Scowcroft, K., Buba, M., & Rangel, J. C. (2022). Training physicians and residents for the use of electronic health records – a comparative case study between two hospitals. Medical Education, 57(4), 337–348. https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.14944

Scalia, P., Ahmad, F., Schubbe, D., Forcino, R., Durand, M.-A., Barr, P. J., & Elwyn, G. (2021). Integrating option grid patient decision aids in the epic electronic health record: Case study at 5 health systems. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(5), e22766. https://doi.org/10.2196/22766

NURS FPX 6412 Assessment 3 Manuscript for Publication

Sittig, D. F., Lakhani, P., & Singh, H. (2022). Applying requisite imagination to safeguard electronic health record transitions. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 29(5), 1014–1018. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocab291