MCL integrates Indiveo into Epic

Leeuwarden Medical Center (MCL) is improving patient communication by integrating Indiveo with the electronic patient record Epic. They first implemented this integration in two departments to test and optimize efficiency and usability in a limited environment before rolling it out more broadly.

Goals

The main purpose of this integration was twofold:

Improve patient information by making all information available and more accessible in the patient portal.
Allow care workers to work more efficiently by avoiding having to work in two different systems.

Patients sometimes found it unclear whether to access their patient information through myMCL or their mail. MCL was therefore looking for a solution that was not only user-friendly for patients and staff, but also customizable and could be automated in the future to optimize the care process.

"Within the hospital they know this development is coming and they are very curious. I am regularly asked when it will be their turn. This enthusiasm underscores the value that the integration adds to daily operations."

Lois Banda, functional administrator

Operation of integration

Epic tasks

The integration uses the existing task system in Epic. When a patient's appointment needs to be scheduled or the patient needs treatment, the provider creates a task with the corresponding patient information (the Indiveo Divi). This works the same way as sending a questionnaire to patients. Caregivers can now easily assign the appropriate education and the patient will receive a notification in myMCL with access to the patient information.

Benefits for patients

Patients now find all information in one place in myMCL, which increases usability and reduces the risk of losing crucial information.

View the fact sheet

Benefits for caregivers

Caregivers at the MCL departments involved are very positive about the integration. A common comment is how valuable it is to see what information a patient has already received. They can quickly see whether themselves or a colleague has already sent information to the patient and whether the patient has understood this information. This greatly improves the efficiency and quality of care delivery.

Positive reactions

Healthcare providers are responding enthusiastically to the integration. They notice a clear reduction in administrative burdens and appreciate the improved insight into patient information. Double sending of healthcare information no longer occurs, which especially saves a lot of time.

"Sending information through My MCL is more efficient because everything is handled digitally and can be viewed immediately. This saves time, for example because the e-mail address does not have to be checked every time." Tamara de Jong - Medical secretary at the pulmonary clinic.

Future Prospect

Expansion into other departments

MCL is now focused on further expanding integration to other outpatient clinics. This will improve the consistency and quality of patient communication throughout the hospital.

New functionalities

There is also a desire to add a personal note option to tasks, an issue that has already been discussed with Epic. This would give healthcare providers even more flexibility in their communication with patients.

Ambitions

The ultimate goal is for patients to be able to schedule appointments themselves in the future, which can then serve as a trigger to automatically send relevant information. Also under consideration is linking Divis to treatments and automatically preparing aftercare information based on the scheduled discharge date.

"Thus, the sky is the limit, and that's another fun prospect," says Inge Schippers, communications consultant. "But first it is important to expand this development to the other outpatient clinics."

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