01Data Elements Selection
Deciding which data elements to move from your existing EHR is at the heart of every conversion project. Here are some factors to consider when determining which data elements to migrate to Epic.
Key Patient Identifiers
Demographics such as name, address, date of birth, are typically a core part of any conversion.
Structured, Discrete Clinical Data
Medications, allergies, and lab results offer the potential of being moved directly into a new EHR database—which provides the advantage of being incorporated into clinical decision support processes.
Epic
Pro Tip
Consider the PAMI (problems / allergies / meds / immunizations) ROI (reconcile outside information) rules. Certain data parameters, override status, etc. can save you a lot of time when discussed and planned for up front. If you are utilizing a CCDA, you can only bring those 4 data elements into Epic. For histories/vitals/ results you will need to use an HL7 interface or flat files per Epic specifications. Be prepared for data clean-up. Errors will occur and business logic will not always align with your process needs.
Continuity of Care Documents (CCD)
CCD’s are useful for both summary data and discrete elements. This is because the underlying structure is based on the CCDA (Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture) standard. CCDAs can be used to generate historical PDFs for longitudinal view of the patient’s chart. It also contains all the discrete data needed for most clinical conversions.
Epic
Pro Tip
Many EHR systems can produce a CCDA but often those CCDAs are not able to be imported into Epic or they import data that is undesirable. There are a variety of reasons for this, so choosing a knowledgeable conversion specialist with experience in reviewing, identifying, and resolving a wide spectrum of data issues adds a lot of value.
Progress Notes and Other Relevant Clinical Documents
This data has important historical reference value. When considering notes and clinical documents look to balance providers needs vs wants to avoid cluttering your new EHR.
Epic
Pro Tip
In the Epic environment, PDFs require an extra click to access, while notes do not.
Whitepapers
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