01-14-2013, 06:51 PM
We have used Epic since 1995 and nationally, we are their largest customer. I'm using it right now, in fact (open in another window).
It's great software, truly the "Cadillac" of EMR suites. There is a fairly robust patient portal. They can access lab results (yes, even before the doctor reviews them), check on referrals, prescriptions, and even send a secure message to the doctor.
Our patient messages get triaged by a nurse first, who often will pend orders and referrals for us to sign. I typically get 15-30 of these per day. Patients can track their lab results and meds back to 1995 (when we rolled out Epic).
Since we are an integrated health system, most of our specialty care also uses the same EMR, which makes things much easier (don't have to decipher handwriting).
That being said, we are far from paperless. We still print out after visit summaries for the patient. We have some paper prescriptions (controlled substances). Some referrals must be printed as well.
It's great software, truly the "Cadillac" of EMR suites. There is a fairly robust patient portal. They can access lab results (yes, even before the doctor reviews them), check on referrals, prescriptions, and even send a secure message to the doctor.
Our patient messages get triaged by a nurse first, who often will pend orders and referrals for us to sign. I typically get 15-30 of these per day. Patients can track their lab results and meds back to 1995 (when we rolled out Epic).
Since we are an integrated health system, most of our specialty care also uses the same EMR, which makes things much easier (don't have to decipher handwriting).
That being said, we are far from paperless. We still print out after visit summaries for the patient. We have some paper prescriptions (controlled substances). Some referrals must be printed as well.