When implementing complex health IT systems like EpicCare or Care Everywhere, it’s vital to ensure that the training materials queued up to serve end users are appropriate for busy clinical users. No one wants to pour through dense, hefty training guides that resemble textbooks...and read almost as painfully. While EHR and health IT solution vendors like Epic provide some off-the-shelf materials to facilitate end user training, we find that our health system clients often do well to incorporate their own “flavor” of training materials to suit their staff optimally. Incorporating internal branding is one thing, but streamlining the content of training guides (in whatever medium) is key for delivering materials that will aid in adoption while minimizing confusion and downtime associated with Epic implementation.

Implementing an Epic EMR system for a hospital network is a big deal. There is a lot of cost and effort associated with an EMR implementation of this scale, and it must be well planned to avoid on-going spend and continued disruption to the organization. As Epic Implementation experts, we know that zero disruption is impossible. But setting the right expectations and deliverables on a reasonable, well-socialized schedule allows for minimal downtime and fewer disgruntled end users. (Fewer. Not zero.) One of the important conversations we encourage in Phase 1 of Epic Training is Why, as the absence of this understanding will hinder your progress every step of the way.

The success of your Epic implementation depends on having the right people on your team. Whether you have recently signed Epic, need to support your build, have upcoming training and go-live initiatives, or need to augment your Epic team to support an upgrade, we’ve gathered together some of our most popular posts on building your Epic team.

In our most recent Epic Implementation video, COO Mike Sinno discusses several types of staffing models that can help you lower the support costs of your Epic EMR.  Watch the video or read the transcript below for tips on how to effectively leverage your resources for break/fix maintenance, implementations and optimization efforts, and scheduled rounding.

The Epic Implementation Series

Leaders preparing for a multi-hospital Go-Live have to evaluate their support plans very carefully. Detailed departmental support gaps have to be identified in the many inpatient, HOD and ambulatory areas. Multiple command centers must be considered and a robust communication process has to be in place to ensure stakeholders are routinely updated. 

The Epic Implementation Series

Project Management is key to a successful implementation. Of course, all project management components such as managing scope, budget, quality, risk, etc. are essential, but there are other important aspects to be aware of. 

The Epic Implementation Series

There is no doubt that installing Epic’s systems within a single hospital can be a complicated process. But when you’re an organization that is planning to roll out Epic across multiple inpatient sites, their associate clinics, in house physicians groups, including revenue cycle management, you have likely discovered an entirely new set of roadblocks that could inhibit your successful, on-time installation. Flexibility and accountability shouldn't be overlooked.

The Epic Implementation Series

There is no doubt that installing Epic’s systems within a single hospital can be a complicated process. But when you’re an organization that is planning to roll out Epic across multiple inpatient sites, their associate clinics, in house physicians groups, including revenue cycle management, you have likely discovered an entirely new set of roadblocks that could inhibit your successful, on-time installation. The good news is that, with proper planning, these obstacles can be overcome.

As an Epic Certified Bridges Analyst NVT 2014, Robert has over 24 years of Integration, Enterprise Application Software/Hardware Support and Maintenance experience.  He has significant integration experience with Full Life Cycle Implementations, HL7, Healthcare Integration Workflow, Legacy Conversion and Ensemble Interfaces.