How To Stop An Epic Reporting Backlog Before It Happens

Benjamin Franklin is reported to have coined the phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Well, if Mr. Franklin were among us today, he may agree that an ounce of prevention could avoid “pounds” of Epic report requests and a reporting backlog.

Several factors contribute to an Epic reporting backlog. Many of these items can be addressed proactively to ensure a streamlined and efficient reporting operation.

Below, we highlight 5 proven ways to stop or reduce an Epic reporting backlog before it happens:

1. Create a testing database

Most healthcare organizations lack the “production quality” data required to fully test and validate reporting operations prior to go-live. This can be remedied by creating and utilizing a testing database to ensure reports are accurately functioning before implementation occurs.

2. Proactively address resource shortages

Epic reporting is more powerful but also significantly more resource intensive than many healthcare facilities anticipate. This, coupled with the organization’s desire for enhanced analytics, puts a large burden on Epic report writers. And, inevitably can create an Epic reporting backlog. This scenario can be avoided by actively identifying and filling resource shortages, as well providing report writers with the Epic and Clarity training they require.

3. Fully understand the business needs

It is most helpful for healthcare organizations to determine their business intelligence needs pre-go-live, so that Epic can be configured, customized and optimized accordingly. Understanding the core processes and workflows is the key to ensuring that the reporting team can fully articulate their customers’ reporting needs. Otherwise, report writers will spend excessive resources reworking reports – which contributes to an Epic reporting backlog.

4. Build a data warehouse and/or dashboards

Another way to help avoid an Epic reporting backlog is by developing a data warehouse and/or dashboards that automatically aggregate key data. Both of these solutions can replace the need to develop many custom reports. Without these elements in place, healthcare facilities typically experience an excess of individual report requests shortly after go-live, and excess workload on the reporting team.

5. Create a user-centric model

One of Epic’s defining features is the robust data sets that are available. This allows users to ask insightful and important questions about everything from operational performance to patient care. By establishing a user-centric reporting and analytics model, users can answer many of their questions independently. This will help avoid bottlenecks and backlogs within the reporting team.

Learn More

It is not uncommon for Epic clients to experience a backlog of report requests shortly after go-live.  This is sometimes the result of users getting familiar with their workflows or refining the types of reports they need. Our consultants understand the best strategies and solutions needed to manage and mitigate any backlog.

At Syntrix Consulting Group, we have the experience and knowledge to help our customers optimize the powerful reporting features and capabilities of their EMR system.

To learn more, contact Syntrix today!