NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 3 SAFER Guides and Evaluating Technology Usage

SAFER Guides Implementation at Select Specialty Hospital San Diego: Enhancing Epic EHR Efficiency

At Select Specialty Hospital San Diego, the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system of choice is Epic, an integral component of their critical illness recovery and long-term care services. Situated in downtown San Diego with a capacity of 110 beds, this facility specializes in providing acute healthcare settings for patients to recover in various aspects such as speech, eating, walking, breathing, and thinking independently. Epic has been successfully employed at this hospital for the past five years, contributing significantly to patient care. Despite the efficacy of Epic as an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, it is imperative for nursing staff to enhance their knowledge regarding Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, privacy concerns, security rules, and best practice guidelines to ensure the integrity and security of patients’ data.

The HealthIT SAFER Guides play a pivotal role in identifying not only data security and integrity risks but also other risks associated with technology implementation. Comprising nine guides organized into foundational, infrastructural, and clinical process categories, SAFER Guides assist healthcare professionals in optimizing technology to meet organizational needs. The selection of Epic as an integrated EHR system aligns with the preferences of large hospitals and healthcare systems across the United States due to its ability to store, assess, organize, and share electronic medical records effectively (Day, 2016). The utilization of Epic has proven to enhance patient security and profitability.

Epic simplifies charting processes and enables a single chart for different specialties in patient care, such as emergency departments, inpatient care, and clinics. Additionally, the system features MyChart, a patient portal tool, empowering patients to access their medical records, communicate with clinicians, schedule appointments, and even participate in online visits (Day, 2016). Involving patients in their care contributes significantly to improving the overall quality of healthcare.