How to Discharge a Patient in Epic

Log into Epic

Open the Epic application and enter your username and password on the login screen. Click Continue to access the system.

Navigate to the Discharge tab

Once you are logged in, locate the navigator activity panel in the patient's chart. Select the Discharge tab from the navigator to begin the discharge process.

Review best practice advisories

In the discharge navigator, confirm that all best practice advisories have been addressed. Resolving these advisories ensures compliance and supports patient safety.

Check discharge status and milestones

In the Discharge Status section, review the milestones required for the patient's discharge. Confirm that all necessary steps are visible and ready to be completed.

Verify and document patient belongings

In the Patient Belongings Collected section, confirm that personal belongings were documented at admission. Prepare to document the return of all patient belongings to the patient.

Document return of patient belongings

In the Patient Belongings Returned section, document that the patient's clothes and other items are in their possession. Click Next to proceed.

Remove the patient ID

In the ID Removal section, document the removal of any patient identification bands or tags as required.

Address incision status and upcoming appointments

In the Wound Resolution section, prepare to document the status of any surgical incisions. Note whether the patient has any upcoming appointments with physical therapy or respiratory therapy.

• If there are no upcoming appointments, proceed to the next step.
• If there are upcoming appointments, cancel them to free up resources for other patients.

Assess and document the surgical incision

Click the Assess and remove hyperlink in the Wound Resolution section. A new window opens for documenting the assessment of the surgical incision.

Complete incision documentation

In the incision assessment window, enter all required details about the surgical site. Select the appropriate options, add any necessary comments, and click Accept to save your documentation.

Enter medication continuation instructions

In the Medication Details section, enter instructions for the continuation of the patient's home medications. Document any additional instructions as needed.

Schedule a follow-up appointment with the PCP

Confirm that the physician has requested a follow-up with the patient's Primary Care Provider (PCP) within two weeks. In Epic, navigate to the appointment scheduling section before the patient leaves the hospital, and add any relevant appointment notes in the designated field.

Select the visit type

Click the magnifying glass icon in the Visit Type field. Select Hospital Follow Up from the list, then click Accept to confirm your selection.

Enter appointment search criteria

On the right side of the appointment window, enter the search criteria, such as the desired date range for the follow-up. Review the available appointment slots for the specified provider.

Schedule the appointment

Identify an available appointment slot — for example, a 7 AM appointment with Dr. Soto. Click Schedule to book the selected appointment, review the details for accuracy, and click Accept to finalize the scheduling.

Verify the appointment in the discharge navigator

Close the appointment desk tab to return to the patient's chart. Confirm that the newly scheduled appointment appears in the Appointments section of the discharge navigator. This appointment will also print on the After Visit Summary (AVS).

Resolve patient education requirements

Click the Education tab in the discharge navigator and review the assigned education topics, such as Pain Management Education. If the patient has met all education goals, click Resolve. A green banner appears at the bottom of the screen confirming successful resolution of the education requirement.

Discuss MyChart sign-up and send activation information

Discuss the benefits of MyChart sign-up with the patient. When prompted, the Send Activation Information window opens. Enter the patient's email address in the provided field and click Send to deliver the MyChart activation information.

Assist the patient with MyChart account sign-up

Instruct the patient to open the activation email on their smartphone and locate the activation code and link. Guide them to enter the activation code on the MyChart sign-up page, enter their date of birth in the required field, and click Next.

Create a username and password

Advise the patient to use their email address as their username. Instruct them to create a secure password and enter it in the password field, then click Next to continue.

Set notification preferences

Ask the patient how they would like to receive notifications, by email or text. If the patient prefers email, ensure the email option is selected and leave the phone number field blank or unselected for text notifications. Confirm the selections are correct.

Sign in and accept the terms and conditions

Instruct the patient to click Sign In to access their new MyChart account. When the Terms and Conditions page appears, review the information together, and have the patient click Accept to agree and proceed.

Walk the patient through the MyChart welcome page

Give the patient a brief tour of the MyChart welcome page, pointing out key features:

• Where to view test results
• How to communicate with their doctor
• How to manage appointments
• Where to log out of the account

Demonstrate the log-out process by clicking Log Out.

Return to the After Visit Summary in Epic

Switch back to the Epic Hyperspace application and open the patient's After Visit Summary (AVS). Review the AVS for accuracy, confirming that discharge instructions, medication lists, and follow-up appointments are correct. Confirm that the AVS is ready for printing or can be sent electronically to the patient's new MyChart account.