Epic Integration: Smart Glasses for Patient Data Access
The seamless fusion of smart glasses with the client’s healthcare data infrastructure by leveraging Epic integration empowers medical professionals to access patient records, diagnostics, and collaborative tools in real time.
Work
- Integrating SMART and FHIR software with Epic
- Display of EHR records and teleconferencing through smart glasses
- Development of a HIPAA-compliant solution
- Technology partnership cooperation model
Summary
Langate has created software that facilitates access to electronic health records (EHRs) through smart glasses, ensuring high-quality and efficient healthcare and emphasizing the benefits of Epic integration.
Discover how Langate simplified access to EHRs with smart glasses and Epic integration
When faced with everyday challenges, such as mixed-up or lost medical records, the limitations of EHRs in computer-less hospital wards become apparent. Our client envisioned a solution: software that facilitates quick, easy, and contactless access to EHRs. Through the integration of Epic, nurses and medical staff would be able to swiftly retrieve necessary medical records via smart glasses, streamlining the process and ensuring efficient access to crucial information.
However, it was just an idea. It took a long time for it to become a functioning solution. Our client sought a vendor who could develop the product and become their technology partner and business advisor. They chose Langate.
The Client
Our client focuses on creating software for the healthcare industry that improves the quality of care, streamlines routine processes, and helps hospitals achieve their long-term goals. They needed an experienced business advisor who could conduct market research, define the most suitable monetization model, attract funding for MVP development, and overcome technological challenges. They decided to collaborate with Langate.
The Problem
We were approached with a prevalent issue in healthcare: the frequent occurrence of mixed-up or lost medical records, exacerbated by the limited utility of EHRs in hospital wards without computers. According to research, nurses spend 25% of their time handling documentation, including EHRs. Our client envisioned a solution that would respond to this problem: software enabling quick, efficient, easy, and contactless access to EHRs through smart glasses.
We successfully transformed their vision into reality through strategic Epic integration, providing a streamlined solution that addresses the core challenges in accessing and managing healthcare records.
Primary Challenges
Defining the objectives as a technology partner and business advisor
Our client only had an idea and needed our assistance to handle and define the business concept, research phase, software design, and funding. So, we had to conduct in-depth market research, involving analyzing its top players, defining its strengths and weaknesses, and eventually creating a solution that would stand out among competitors.
Connecting the software with Epic EHR
Integrating EHR systems has never been easy. There are many pitfalls. To achieve interoperability, we had to adhere to all the data exchange standards and understand Epic’s capabilities, including its API, data structures, and integration standards. At that point, it was also essential to check Epic support.
Creating functionality from scratch
Beyond merely developing the functionality for smart glasses, we had to seamlessly incorporate Epic, ensuring that the software met the end-user’s needs and integrated effectively with existing healthcare infrastructure. We had to carefully consider interoperability, data security, and the overall user experience, making the challenge intricate and pivotal to the project’s success.
Ensuring HIPAA compliance
Our team worked directly with protected health information, so we had to create a HIPAA-compliant solution. We implemented strong data encryption, access control measures, and audit trails to ensure data security during Epic integration.
Interoperability issues
The Epic system had to be connected to a wide range of external healthcare applications, which may share different data standards. We adhered to a standardized data exchange protocol — FHIR — to ensure proper cross-platform data exchange.
The Process
Starting with an in-depth research phase, we delved into understanding the problem, analyzing existing solutions, and identifying end-users’ needs, particularly nurses.
Afterward, we created functionality and design concepts to show investors a more presentable idea. Then, we helped attract funding and finally got to the development process.
With the groundwork laid, we integrated Epic with the client’s healthcare data infrastructure. This required registration on the Clinical Exchange Platform (CExP) through Uscdi.epic.com. The registration process involved providing detailed organizational information, accepting terms and conditions, and undergoing a verification process.
Once the account was approved, the development process unfolded. This encompassed testing phases, including unit testing to ensure individual software components performed adequately, integration testing to verify seamless data exchange with Epic EHR, and user acceptance testing with clinicians to evaluate user-friendliness in settings.
The subsequent phase involved connecting all elements and going live. This entailed setting up secure data transfer protocols, incorporating API calls, and customizing the integration to align with specific workflows. Training and support were crucial components before the system went live.
The Solution
- Smart Glasses with camera
- WiFi hospital network for connection between Smart Glasses and AR Core
- AR Core and DB server components integrated with external platforms (EHR, smart carts, etc) via API
- AI to predict display of AR objects based on user action, location, workflow, EHR feed, etc
- Voice, Wristband, smart ring or brain wave-sensor for hands-free control
Achievements and Future Plans
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EHR and paper formats of medical records have proven to lead to burnout, additional stress, and increased risk of germ transmission.
Client’s new AR software will allow healthcare workers to minimize the paperwork and focus on what matters – providing care.
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After developing a successful proof of concept, the client plans to collect feedback from nurses and hospitals to find areas for improvement.
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