Reducing Vaccine-Preventable Diseases with Epic

Getting patients the vaccines they need remains one of the most straightforward ways to impact population health. MetroHealth in Ohio is using Epic to boost vaccination rates and help reduce preventable diseases like hepatitis.

When a patient is due for a vaccine, providers see alerts in Epic and patients receive a MyChart message or SMS reminder. Providers review vaccinations performed at another clinic right in the chart, and patients can use MyChart to report additional vaccines that they’ve received. Patients can also access educational materials about the vaccine and information about when and where it’s available in MyChart. If patients are unable to get a vaccine during their regular visit, providers electronically prescribe the vaccine elsewhere.

MetroHealth’s goal is to make routine vaccinations accessible both within and outside of the clinic walls, says Dr. David Kaelber, chief medical informatics officer and vice president of health informatics. “Because of its prevalence and flexibility, technology provides promising tools to address vaccination barriers for families, health care providers, and the broader community.”

Read more in Becker’s Healthcare.