Epic Training - Pros and Cons

This is not what you asked, but it is what it is.

I HATE Epic. Classroom training did not/perhaps could not prepare us for real-time operation.

Different users/providers have vastly different views on Epic. We can never tell which providers will or will not be able to see what we chart.

Some providers have chosen to abuse the shared-chart concept and routinely remove information that they feel "clutters up" their view. It's not incorrect or misleading information - these specialists just don't want to see it because it does not pertain to their specialty. They are easily able to remove previous providers' charting.

Medical Assistants, receptionists and techs routinely enter surgeon pre-op and post-op orders. The level of incompetency/inability to understand and correctly enter basic orders cannot be overstated. For the first time in my career, I am obliged to Release & act upon MD orders as understood & transmitted by non-medical personnel.

I could go on & on, but I will spare you.

In regards to the epic training process, the classroom sessions were moderately helpful, bc they were the real intro.

however, we had to complete 12 hours of "playground" in 3 sessions prior to go-live, where we had to sit for 4 hours at a time and explore the system. they were the longest 4 hours i ever spent!

specifically, we had to real clinical context yet, so there was just very little i gained from them. i was just clicking on random patients, and after a few minutes, i was like...ok...not sure what to do with this...so i just zoned out for 3 hours and 30 minutes.

the playground had no structure, but maybe if they gave us a packet to simulate a complete patient case study, that told you what was happening and you had to chart on it, read doc notes etc, with some goals and endpoints, it would have been of use.

i literally did very little "exploring" during playground, and i can say i was not disadvantaged one bit.

the epic trainers during the shift were my lifevests. they are what made epic transition a success! some were tech wizards and some were experienced epic nurses already using epic, so they provided a very well-rounded team!

Thank you to all who responded to my poll about Epic vs Paper Charts. Don't worry....I am including all aspects of charting in future polls. The next is Epic vs Cerner EMR.

OHHHHH, looking forward to this----Cerner is being launched for us this summer