Epic is one of the most popular Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems used by healthcare organizations worldwide, and one of its powerful features is the ability to customize patient lists. Patient lists in Epic provide clinicians, healthcare administrators, and other authorized users with an efficient way to track, manage, and organize patient information based on specific criteria. Customizing these lists can streamline workflows, improve patient care, and enhance overall efficiency within healthcare facilities.

In this blog, we’ll explore how you can customize patient lists in Epic EMR and why these customizations are important for delivering top-notch patient care.

1. Types of Patient Lists in Epic EMR

Epic EMR offers a variety of patient lists that can be tailored to different healthcare roles, such as physicians, nurses, and administrative staff. Understanding the types of lists available is the first step in making effective customizations.

• My Lists: These are personalized lists created by individual users, allowing them to view the patients they are responsible for or interact with frequently.
• System Lists: System administrators or managers set up these lists, and they are available to all users within the organization.
• Department Lists: These lists group patients by department, making it easier for staff to monitor patients in specific areas like the emergency department, surgery, or outpatient clinics.
• Shared Lists: These lists are accessible by multiple users, helping teams or units manage patients collectively.

Each list type can be customized to display the most relevant information to the user.

Customizable Features:

• Filter criteria based on clinical needs or administrative tasks
• Group patients by department, service, or provider
• Share lists across teams for better collaboration

By customizing these patient lists, healthcare providers can quickly access relevant patient data, making day-to-day operations more efficient and streamlined.

2. Customizing Filters for Targeted Patient Tracking

Filters allow healthcare providers to tailor their patient lists to show only the most relevant data. This customization is crucial for managing complex caseloads and prioritizing patient care.

Popular Customizations:

• Condition-based filters: For instance, providers in a cardiology department can filter lists to show only patients with heart-related diagnoses or those currently undergoing specific treatments.
• Appointment filters: Set up filters to view only patients scheduled for the day, improving time management and preparation for upcoming visits.
• Medication or Allergy Filters: Identify patients based on specific medications, allergies, or treatment plans, ensuring quick access to crucial details.

This level of filtering reduces the time spent sifting through patient records and enhances focus on those who require immediate attention.

3. Column Customization for Enhanced Information Display

Patient lists in Epic can be further customized by modifying the information that appears in each column. This allows healthcare professionals to view essential patient data at a glance, without needing to navigate through individual charts.

Key Customizations Include:

• Vital Signs Display: Displaying the most recent vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, or oxygen saturation directly in the list view.
• Appointment Status: Add a column that shows upcoming appointment times or patient check-in status to improve clinic flow.
• Treatment Plan Overview: Include a brief overview of the patient’s treatment plan, including active medications and care goals, to keep the care team informed.

By customizing columns, users can create a highly efficient and informative view tailored to their specific needs, reducing time spent on administrative tasks and improving the speed of care delivery.

4. Creating Dynamic Patient Lists with Rule-based Criteria

Epic’s patient list functionality includes the ability to create dynamic, rule-based lists. These lists automatically update as patients meet or no longer meet certain criteria, providing real-time information without manual updates.

Examples of Dynamic Lists:

• Discharge Lists: Automatically update to show patients scheduled for discharge within a specific time frame.
• High-risk Patients: Use clinical data to generate lists of patients at high risk for readmission or complications, allowing for proactive intervention.
• Pending Lab Results: Automatically generate lists of patients awaiting important lab results, helping prioritize follow-up actions.

This customization helps streamline workflows by ensuring the most up-to-date information is always available, without the need for constant manual adjustments.

5. Sharing and Syncing Patient Lists for Team Collaboration

Collaboration is key in healthcare, and Epic EMR supports sharing patient lists across care teams, departments, and facilities. By customizing the sharing settings of patient lists, you can ensure that the right people have access to the right information at the right time.

Customizable Options Include:

• Team-based sharing: Allow specific patient lists to be shared among healthcare team members to ensure everyone has access to the same information.
• Syncing across locations: Sync patient lists across multiple locations for organizations with satellite clinics or multi-hospital systems.
• Permission levels: Set different access levels (view-only, edit, etc.) based on team roles, ensuring data security and integrity.

This functionality ensures that care teams remain coordinated, even in large and complex healthcare settings.

6. Advanced Reporting and Analytics Through Customized List

Epic’s patient lists can also be customized to generate detailed reports and analytics, providing actionable insights into patient care and operational performance.

Useful Reports Include:

• Patient Flow Reports: Track how quickly patients are moved through different stages of care, identifying bottlenecks or inefficiencies.
• Readmission Analytics: Use patient lists to identify trends in readmissions, which can help inform strategies for improving long-term outcomes.
• Population Health Reports: Custom lists can target specific patient populations, helping organizations manage chronic disease programs or preventative care initiatives.

By leveraging these reporting tools, healthcare administrators and clinicians can gain valuable insights that drive improvements in care quality and efficiency.

Conclusion: Empowering Healthcare Providers with Customizable Patient Lists

Customizing patient lists in Epic EMR is a powerful way to optimize workflow, improve patient care, and enhance collaboration among care teams. From dynamic lists that update automatically to advanced filtering options, Epic’s customization features are designed to meet the unique needs of each healthcare professional.

By taking full advantage of these customization options, healthcare organizations can streamline their operations, reduce administrative burdens, and focus more on delivering high-quality patient care.

At Rannlab, we specialize in healthcare IT solutions and can help your organization fully leverage Epic EMR’s capabilities. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist in customizing your EMR system to meet your specific needs.

Read More: What is an EMR System? Understanding the Basics and Benefits