Epic EMR signout sheets

[kaizenakira]

My residency program just started using the Epic EMR. Do you guys have any tips on how to make a good signout sheet for each patient? We've tried using the sign out report function but the problem with the sign out report is that it has a character limit which makes it difficult to auto populate the sign out report with medications, labs, vitals, etc. I really don't want to go back to using Microsoft Access where we have to manually enter by hand all of the meds, labs, vitals, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciate on how to make a good signout report that we can auto populate and refresh with the current meds, labs, vitals, etc. Thanks for any help.

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[Shikima]

Make your own. You can make a list in Epic which shows who is on the service, print out that sheet and then make your own sign-out notes using a centralized Excel spreadsheet. This is the only way.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Make your own. You can make a list in Epic which shows who is on the service, print out that sheet and then make your own sign-out notes using a centralized Excel spreadsheet. This is the only way.

Our amazing hospital administration is actually trying to prevent us from doing this. They are demanding that EVERYTHING be done through epic. What a disaster.

 

[Shikima]

It is a disaster. Use the excel sheet system.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Yep there is no functionality for that; you have to make your own as others have noted.

 

[PTPoeny]

Have you talked to your epic people? I've spent time at three different hospitals that use Epic and two of them had the sign out reports populated with at least some of the information you are talking about. You might need to convince your whole hospital of what needs to be on a signout, the two places that had that has the same things auto populate for all services. But the two hospitals has different info than each other, so it can be customized. All labs might be a bit long, but I've seem vitals and meds done.

FYI, I recommend against doing the entire treatment team for the stay...

 

[LisaLou]

My residency program just started using the Epic EMR. Do you guys have any tips on how to make a good signout sheet for each patient? We've tried using the sign out report function but the problem with the sign out report is that it has a character limit which makes it difficult to auto populate the sign out report with medications, labs, vitals, etc. I really don't want to go back to using Microsoft Access where we have to manually enter by hand all of the meds, labs, vitals, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciate on how to make a good signout report that we can auto populate and refresh with the current meds, labs, vitals, etc. Thanks for any help.

I'm not sure what benefit you get by having the meds, labs, and vitals on the sign out report, since all of those are easily accessible in the EMR. We use our sign out reports to give a concise summary of why the patient is here, things the covering person should know (e.g. "do not order any additional opioids"), and anything they need to do (e.g. "watch for potassium result and order replacement if needed"). The additional details are available in the EMR if the covering physician needs them to make a decision.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

I'm not sure what benefit you get by having the meds, labs, and vitals on the sign out report, since all of those are easily accessible in the EMR. We use our sign out reports to give a concise summary of why the patient is here, things the covering person should know (e.g. "do not order any additional opioids"), and anything they need to do (e.g. "watch for potassium result and order replacement if needed"). The additional details are available in the EMR if the covering physician needs them to make a decision.

You sound like the folks who work for Epic...

Sometimes when you are covering 50+ patients it is just really nice to have everything right in front of you, and not have to log into a computer and dig through the records. Even if it only takes five minutes, that's five minutes you feel like you don't have as a resident. Our current sign out sheets have meds, labs, allergies, and basic PMH/PSH on them on one page - why is it so much to ask mighty Epic for the same?

 

[Shikima]

You may not question the great god Epic is. It is the equivalent to the black knight from the holy grail movie.

 

[LisaLou]

I'd be happy if Epic would just stop deleting my pended notes.

 

[Shikima]

None shall pass!

 

[cabinbuilder]

I just write in my instructions in that section and then the MA prints the AVS, that should be it. Not sure why your EPIC doesn't do this?

 

[nlax30]

You sound like the folks who work for Epic...

Sometimes when you are covering 50+ patients it is just really nice to have everything right in front of you, and not have to log into a computer and dig through the records. Even if it only takes five minutes, that's five minutes you feel like you don't have as a resident. Our current sign out sheets have meds, labs, allergies, and basic PMH/PSH on them on one page - why is it so much to ask mighty Epic for the same?

We don't use EPIC but I certainly don't want that much on signout sheets. Basics of what they're being treated for, anything that needs follow up or possible acute issues that may come up or other info that may need to addressed overnight. Anything else I can look up in the EMR. If I get called and need to an order in I have to log in anyway and put it in so doesn't really save me any time, especially with at least 60-70 floor patients and probably a dozen or so unit patients. We're in house and they're cutting down on telephone/verbal orders so I have to put my own stuff in.

 

[nobodo]

In my hospital, we do not use the EPIC sign out section. It does not even display psychiatry sign out notes. We have it in word with columns and rows and populated manually. CUMBERSOME.. unpractical and underutilized multimillion dollar EMR.