Epic Case Management is designed to streamline and enhance care coordination across the continuum of care. By integrating case management tasks directly into the EHR, Epic simplifies workflows, reduces inefficiencies, and improves communication between care teams, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and a more seamless healthcare experience.
This article explores the key components and capabilities of Epic’s Case Management module, highlighting how it empowers healthcare organizations to streamline operations across their Epic software system and improve overall efficiency.
What is Epic Systems?
Epic Systems is a leading provider of health information technology, used by large hospitals, health systems, and outpatient and specialty clinics to access, organize, store, and share electronic medical records. Epic’s intelligent software applications are designed to address a wide range of clinical and operational needs, including population health management, patient engagement, and revenue cycle management.
Navigating Epic System Modules and Features
Epic Systems offers a wide range of software products that serve various purposes, including acute and inpatient care management, digital patient experience management, patient flow management, analytics and data integration, and patient flow management. It includes critical features to optimize care coordination and continuity, identify and address social determinants of health, facilitate more effective patient monitoring, and improve overall clinician efficiency.
Here are a few key modules included in the Epic landscape and integrated with Epic Case Management:
- EpicCare Ambulatory
- Epic Cadence
- Epic Stork
- Epic MyChart
- Epic Cogito
- Epic Healthy Planet
- Epic OpTime
- Epic Radiant
Electronic Health Record (EHR) Integration with Epic Software
Epic’s electronic health record (EHR) system is designed to seamlessly integrate with other healthcare software and systems, streamlining data exchange and improving patient care across organizational units. It offers a comprehensive, real-time view of patient records, including current, past, and future patient visits, personal health records, and other relevant health systems data.
By offering intelligent data management features and a centralized repository for patient health data, Epic’s EHR system empowers healthcare providers to manage patient population, coordinate care, and improve outcomes across patients’ health journeys.
What is Epic Case Management?
Epic Case Management is a module within the Epic electronic health record (EHR) system designed to help healthcare organizations streamline and enhance care coordination across the continuum of care. It serves as a centralized platform for case managers, social workers, and care teams to monitor patient progress, manage care transitions, and address individual patient needs, including social determinants of health (SDOH).
By integrating directly with other Epic modules, the Case Management application provides a unified and seamless experience for managing complex cases, facilitating engagement across the patient portal, and ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time.
Case Management Strategies with the Epic System
Epic’s Case Management application is designed for hospital and community transition coordinators to track, communicate, and manage census and utilization functions, further streamlining clinical workflows and improving healthcare data management across organizational units.
The Case Management module provides Epic workflows for case managers and related roles, including utilization review, payor communication, and discharge placement. It offers intelligent tools like flowsheets, notes, and patient history to empower case managers to accurately manage patient care and facilitate better coordination across the entire health system.
Key Features of Epic Case Management
Integrated care coordination
Epic Case Management centralizes care coordination within the existing electronic health record (EHR), allowing case managers, social workers, and specialty care teams to easily track patient progress, manage tasks, and collaborate in real time.
Transition planning and management
The Case Management application streamlines discharge planning by providing tools to manage transitions of care, track follow-ups, and ensure continuity as patients move across different care settings, such as inpatient to outpatient or home care.
Patient-centric care planning
The Case Management platform enables the creation and management of personalized care plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs, including clinical notes and goals, discharge planning, and addressing social determinants of health.
Workflow and task automation
Built-in automation features within the Case Management module help organizations reduce administrative burden by automating repetitive tasks, reminders, and documentation, allowing case managers to focus more on direct patient care.
Reporting and analytics
Case managers can leverage built-in reporting tools to monitor outcomes within the Case Management module to measure the effectiveness of critical care coordination strategies and identify areas for improvement in care delivery.
Integration with other Epic systems
As part of the comprehensive Epic ecosystem, the Case Management module integrates seamlessly with other Epic modules, such as EpicCare, Cadence, and Tapestry, ensuring effective coordination and continuity across patient populations.
Streamlined collaboration
The Case Management module fosters collaboration by connecting all members of the care team within the Epic community. Notes, updates, and plans are shared in a unified platform, ensuring everyone stays informed about the patient’s status, including past and future visits for various health conditions.
SDOH tracking
Epic Case Management supports the documentation and tracking of social determinants of health (SDOH), helping care teams identify barriers to health and coordinate resources to address issues like transportation, housing, or financial challenges.
Configurable system notifications
Automated alerts notify care teams about critical changes in patient conditions, upcoming tasks, or potential delays, ensuring timely interventions and smoother transitions across primary care, secondary care, and home care environments.
Support for regulatory compliance
The Epic Case Management application ensures that workflows and documentation meet regulatory and accreditation standards, such as CMS guidelines and HIPAA regulations, making audits and reporting easier to manage.
Future of Epic System and Healthcare Technology
Over time, Epic’s healthcare technology solutions will evolve to adequately manage patient populations, streamline patient care, and facilitate connected care journeys. Future modules and applications will include advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics.
The future of critical healthcare technology includes increased focus on patient engagement, population health, and value-based care for one-time, chronic, or complex health conditions.
Getting Started with Our Team
Whether you need help assessing your current Epic setup to identify key improvement areas, additional support maintaining compliance with regulations like HIPAA and the Affordable Healthcare Act, or an extra hand optimizing integrations across Epic and non-Epic systems, Surety Systems can help.
Our senior-level Epic consultants have the skills and experience to handle your critical project needs and guide your internal teams through every step of the implementation, integration, or upgrade process.
Contact Us
For more information about our Epic consulting services or to get started on a project with our team of expert consultants, contact us today.
