Outgoing Chief of Staff Larry Shuer receives a gift from incoming Vice Chief of Staff Geoff Rubin during a May 28 tribute and reception marking 12 years of service. Shuer will continue his career as a faculty neurosurgeon, as associate dean for graduate medical education, and in numerous other hospital assignments. [See more]

A month after launch, the CIS-Epic electronic health record (EHR) has become a workable system — not without glitches, but a solid functioning component of health care delivery at SHC, says a leader responsible for implementation.

“The good news is that across the house, every area that planned to use Epic is using Epic and is using it as planned,” said internist Topher Sharp, associate chief medical information officer.

“Right now we are right at the cusp of no longer asking, ‘What do we need to fix?’ Epic is fundamentally working, so now we are asking, ‘How do we make it work even better?’ We are evolving from reacting to problems to an approach focused on making those methodical changes that will make the system work more effectively,” Sharp said in a May 30 interview.

“My sense is that most physicians, nurses and other users are moving away from feeling that they are being bowled over by the system, but they don’t feel up to speed compared to their prior efficiency. Doctors and nurses are telling us, for example, ‘It’s taking me longer to do medical reconciliation, but at least I know how to do it.’”

The CIS-Epic implementation team is continually looking for feedback. To offer suggestions and to report issues, contact the Help Desk at (650) 723-3333.

“We’ve already received great feedback, even if it was sometimes expressed in frustration,” he added. [See more]