The health system’s Central Scheduling department now uses the Cadence component of the Epic system to schedule outpatient testing procedures for several departments, including cardiovascular, radiology, rehabilitation, neurology, respiratory, sleep disorders, asthma management, nutrition, the Breast Health Center and ALS Clinic. Other decentralized scheduling departments using Cadence include Pain Management, the heart catheterization labs, Lee Health Solutions and the Regional Cancer Center.

“Cadence is very intuitive and user-friendly, which directly benefits the patient,” says Sylvia Smith, RN, System Director of Central Scheduling.

For instance, Cadence has several prompts for the scheduler to ensure that the proper test is being ordered. Cadence is also helpful for physicians, who can log on to the system to see whether tests have been scheduled, says Sylvia.

All the platforms for Epic are being constructed by Lee Memorial Health System, says Susan Torres, MSN, RN, BC, Director of Interdisciplinary Practice and Documentation. “Through the use of Epic and extensive research and evidence-based practice, we will ensure that we are all speaking the same language in terms of documenting to gain a true, complete picture of the patient’s health,” Susan says.

Some Lee Physician Group offices are already using Cadence, and
the program will be installed in the remaining Lee Physician Group offices, as well as Lee Convenient Care and Lee Physician Group Specialists offices and obstetrics by the end of 2010, says Mike Smith, Chief Information Officer for Lee Memorial Health System. Cadence and all of Epic will also be made available to physicians in the community who are not employed by Lee Memorial Health System, he says.

Epic is already installed in the Emergency Departments at Cape Coral Hospital, HealthPark Medical Center and Lee Memorial Hospital. The system will be launched at Gulf Coast Medical Center in June 2011.

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