Epic Efficiency: Empowering Providers and Nurses

A key driver of our success has been the strategic rollout of Epic efficiency initiatives, including our annual provider Epic Efficiency Bootcamps, Epic SmartUser courses and nursing efficiency classes. These programs are designed to optimize how providers and nurses interact with our Epic system by supporting personalization and comfort in using the system in ways that best align with how our clinicians deliver care.

“One standout example that’s improved our provider EHR experience are our annual Epic Efficiency Bootcamps, the most recent of which took place in June,” continued Dr. Dale. “Providers learned valuable Epic tips and tricks, including application and personalization assistance from Epic trainers and our physician support specialists. These bootcamps have become a cornerstone of our continuous learning culture — fostering collaboration, building confidence and driving measurable improvements in EHR use.”

Of those who attended our June Epic Efficiency Bootcamps:

• 100% found the coursework informative and would recommend these bootcamps to a colleague.
• 98% reported plans to use the content presented in their current workflows.
• Over 50% have already completed most of the coursework required to obtain Epic’s SmartUser badge.

Feedback from providers who attended included:

• “The course was very good and useful. There was enough time to practice and enough staff to answer questions.”
• “This course was great! I can be efficient in my charting time and spend more time with patients!”
• “Great course! Was awesome to be able to do it real-time with our computers.”
• “This class was extremely helpful.”

For nurses, an adaptive learning module has been added to their Epic onboarding experience to deliver more personalized, efficient training. It provides user-specific feedback and brief learning bursts to help strengthen our nurses’ understanding of their Epic workflows. This onboarding is followed by a nursing efficiency class 30 to 60 days later, designed to personalize workflows and share practical tips for daily use.

“Course feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Amaris Fuentes, clinical informatics manager. “Over 90% of the nurses surveyed reported applying the tools in their work, and all participants said they were ‘very likely’ to share what they learned with colleagues. One nurse even shared that they felt the course was great for quick tips and shortcuts. We’ll continue evaluating and refining these tools to enhance ongoing nursing Epic training.”

Epic SmartUser courses are another option offered — specialized training modules for nurses and providers that focus on mastering Epic tools and workflows. These courses are designed to be practical, engaging and immediately applicable, helping clinicians spend more time focused on patient care.

Collaborative Optimization: Enhancing Nursing Epic Workflows

Our nursing Epic optimization strategy centers on collaborative governance and frontline engagement. Local informatics councils and usability groups help identify workflow challenges and guide improvements. Nurse informaticists and clinical analysts play a key role in engaging staff through rounding, education and council participation, to ensure changes are clinically relevant and aligned with organizational goals.

One key example is the interruptive alert optimization project, which addressed clinician concerns about alert fatigue. Through cross-functional collaboration, we reduced non-actionable alerts by 80%, with nurses experiencing the greatest benefit from clearer, more relevant notifications.

“Epic optimization is a strategic and ongoing effort that thrives on collaboration,” said Fuentes. “By continuously engaging with clinicians and adapting to their evolving needs, we ensure that every enhancement is meaningful, supports real-world workflows and strengthens the connection between technology and patient care.”

Technology + Support: A Holistic Approach to Empowering Clinicians

Improving Epic efficiency and comfort in the system is only part of the equation — equally important is ensuring strong, accessible IT support. That’s why we’ve enhanced our support model to provide our clinicians with responsive, knowledgeable IT partners who understand clinical workflows. Whether in person or virtually, clinicians now receive help in the ways most convenient to them, including:

• You can get self-service support on the IT Support website, via The HUB or directly in Epic.
  • While working in Epic, click the IT button on the Epic toolbar (for IT or Epic-related issues or requests) or click the envelope with a question mark (for Epic-related issues only).
• Onsite AskI.T. walk-up stations (available at every campus)
• Provider Support Specialists
• Hospital Nursing Informaticists

This unified approach ensures that technology works for our care teams — not against them — enabling smoother workflows, faster resolutions and more time with patients.

A Culture of Continuous Improvement

Winning the KLAS Pinnacle Award while it’s a proud moment in our quest to be unparalleled, it’s also a reminder that excellence is a journey, not a destination. Houston Methodist remains committed to evolving, adapting and innovating. The feedback loop established through KLAS surveys continues to guide our efforts, ensuring that every initiative is grounded in the real needs of our clinical teams.

“As we look ahead, we’re excited to build on this momentum — expanding our training programs, refining our workflows and exploring new technologies that support our clinicians and patient care,” said Dr. Dale. “The Pinnacle Award isn’t just a recognition of what we’ve achieved, it’s an inspiration and recognition of the effort to be unparalleled. Thank you to every nurse, provider, trainer and team member who contributed to this journey. This award belongs to all of us as we strive to be unparalleled every day at Houston Methodist — for each other and our patients.”