Always being at the forefront of innovation and offering practical solutions, Epic EMR software stands out. Healthcare providers spend a lot of their time switching between applications and systems. This can lead to inefficient workflows. To solve this very issue, Epic Systems has announced a new capability: AI Connectors. The new functionality allows different applications to communicate with Epic EHR software. With connectors, patients, clinicians, and administrators don’t have to go through different apps or portals to get what they need. The new solution aims to reduce unnecessary steps so providers and nurses can focus on their patients.
What are the New AI Connectors?
The AI Connectors by Epic EMR software can connect its AI assistants with external software applications. A connector can also bring information from third-party apps into Epic when healthcare members need it. For example, the ER can be well prepared by getting the arrival time of an ambulance from an ambulance app.
The Connectors also support three of Epic’s software’s AI assistants. Emmie for patients, Art for clinicians, and Penny for revenue cycle management. To get a fair idea, Emmie can use a connector to get directions from the hospital’s wayfinding application and guide patients to the department they want to visit. This shows that Connector acts as a bridge between Epic’s AI assistant and the hospital’s navigation system.
How can AI Connectors by Epic EMR Software help healthcare organizations?
The AI connector is a great way to help clinicians prepare for patient care. Surgical teams can use connected applications to see if the medical equipment is available for a particular patient. Access to this information helps teams coordinate care and prevent delays. Likewise, emergency departments can arrange care before a patient arrives by ambulance.
Always keeping the patient at the heart of its solutions, Epic EHR software provides a more connected experience for patients. The connectors can come in handy for patients ordering meals from their bed. Rather than opening a separate app, the patient can simply ask Emmie for a meal. This can make meal ordering convenient.
Also, hospitals have to do a lot of paperwork, like checking if a patient’s insurance will pay for treatment, getting permission from the insurance company, and making sure the hospital receives its money. Usually, staff have to open different computer programs to do these jobs. With Epic EMR software’s new AI Connectors, the AI could help find this information and make these jobs easier. For example, it could help staff check insurance details or find out whether a bill has been paid. Availity helps hospitals and insurance companies share this information easily. By connecting with services like Availity, Epic’s AI tools could help hospital staff spend less time on tedious administrative tasks.
What Does This Mean for Epic EMR Software Users?
Existing users of Epic systems can make more value out of their electronic medical records software. Now, the software can connect with specialized applications. The AI assistant can easily work with external systems, creating smoother workflows. The Connectors capability will be available via Epic Showroom from March 2027. Before using connectors, healthcare organizations would have to assess which integrations will work for them and approve them before the AI Connectors are used.
