Information about appointments, medications and more coming to the wrists of patients with Apple’s newest device
Omaha, Neb – Apple has always been about innovation. The same can be said for Epic, the Verona, Wisconsin-based healthcare software company whose customers manage medical records for more than half the U.S. population, including patients at Nebraska Medicine. Now, Epic and Nebraska Medicine announce one of the first efforts to improve the patient experience using Apple’s first wearable device.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve the satisfaction of our patients,” said Michael Ash, M.D., chief transformation officer at Nebraska Medicine. “We recognize that as more of our patients use devices like the Apple Watch, we not only have to be able to use that technology to initially provide convenience for them, but we also have to envision how we can also improve patient outcomes via use of the device in the future.”
Epic’s MyChart app for Apple Watch, available now on the App Store, lets patients view messages from their care providers, upcoming appointment details, and information on their active medications. They can also see notices when new test results, billing statements and health maintenance reminders are accessible on their iPhones.
“It’s great to see Nebraska Medicine help lead the way on patient engagement with the Apple Watch,” says Sumit Rana, Epic’s senior vice president for research and development. “Wearables such as the Apple Watch have great potential to empower patients as active participants in their own healthcare and wellness while improving the overall care experience.”
Epic has development in the works based on the Apple Watch’s ability to “tap” wearers on the wrist to get their attention. Diabetic patients will be able to get reminders to test their blood sugar regularly, for example. Care organizations will also be able to use the watch to help patients get quicker access to high-demand specialty visits and services. Epic’s Fast Pass On the Go feature would allow a patient with an appointment three weeks out to get an Apple Watch alert if an earlier slot opens up – when another patient cancels an appointment, for example – and accept the new appointment time from the watch.
An Apple Watch app is also available for physicians who use Epic’s Haiku mobile application for the iPhone. Doctors can view their schedule, hospitalized patients and clinical summaries. They can also use Siri’s speech-to-text functionality to record a clinical note or a MyChart message to send to a patient.
Nebraska Medicine is the most esteemed academic health system in the region offering exceptional patient care combined with innovative research and education. Committed to advancing quality health care, Nebraska Medicine represents the clinical integration of The Nebraska Medical Center, the state’s largest and highest rated hospital, Bellevue Medical Center and UNMC Physicians. Our newly integrated organization allows us to strengthen our services by expanding collaboration with our partners and providing patients access to more than 1,000 physicians and 678 licensed hospital beds as well as approximately 40 specialty and primary care clinics in Omaha and the surrounding area. Find Nebraska Medicine online at www.nebraskamed.com.
