Connecting Epic to QI - ODCHC Epic Implementation

Open Door Community Health Centers (ODCHC) began its implementation of the Epic PM/EHR in August of 2008 at the first of ten clinics, the Del Norte Community Health Center. Simultaneously, ODCHC was in the process of revamping its approach to Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) across the system. A CQI Coordinator, promoted from within ODCHC, formalized ODCHC's CQI procecss, convening a large group of clinic representatives (nurses, providers, administrators, etc.) to guide quality efforts and creating a QI Team at each clinic site. The large group guided CQI efforts at the organization level, and the clinic QI Team designed clinic specific measures. In the face of implementing an EHR, the delineation of QI operations was essential as we approached a major shift in how information was going to be collected and extracted, in addition to the excitement of figuring out what information we wanted to examine now that we were able to capture information once unavailable in our old PM system or only attainable through timely chart audits.

In addition, EHR implementation necessitates a constant conversation about QI. ODCHC outlined the interfaces that would be needed in order to continue participation in area registeries such as PECSYS (diabetes) and CAIR (immunizations). Moreover, time was spent figuring out how to incorporate best practices into the digital template used by providers and staff while working in the Epic system. QI is truly intimately involved in EHR implementation--an on-going relationship of the highest importance.