Implementation of Epic Beaker Anatomic Pathology at an Academic Medical Center

Abstract

Background:Beaker is a relatively new laboratory information system (LIS) offered by Epic Systems Corporation as part of its suite of health-care software and bundled with its electronic medical record, EpicCare. It is divided into two modules, Beaker anatomic pathology (Beaker AP) and Beaker Clinical Pathology. In this report, we describe our experience implementing Beaker AP version 2014 at an academic medical center with a go-live date of October 2015.Methods:This report covers preimplementation preparations and challenges beginning in September 2014, issues discovered soon after go-live in October 2015, and some post go-live optimizations using data from meetings, debriefings, and the project closure document.Results:We share specific issues that we encountered during implementation, including difficulties with the proposed frozen section workflow, developing a shared specimen source dictionary, and implementation of the standard Beaker workflow in large institution with trainees. We share specific strategies that we used to overcome these issues for a successful Beaker AP implementation. Several areas of the laboratory-required adaptation of the default Beaker build parameters to meet the needs of the workflow in a busy academic medical center. In a few areas, our laboratory was unable to use the Beaker functionality to support our workflow, and we have continued to use paper or have altered our workflow. In spite of several difficulties that required creative solutions before go-live, the implementation has been successful based on satisfaction surveys completed by pathologists and others who use the software. However, optimization of Beaker workflows has continued to be an ongoing process after go-live to the present time.Conclusions:The Beaker AP LIS can be successfully implemented at an academic medical center but requires significant forethought, creative adaptation, and continued shared management of the ongoing product by institutional and departmental information technology staff as well as laboratory managers to meet the needs of the laboratory.

Implementing Epic Beaker Laboratory Information System for Diagnostics in Anatomic Pathology

“…Blau et al found that several parties of people employing the source list had different objectives. 6 Microbiology entails that the plan be classy enough to determine which plate labels. In our opinion, it seems that it is crucial that testing procedures should be created consequently.…”

Evaluation of switch from satellite laboratory to central laboratory for testing of intraoperative parathyroid hormone

“…In contrast to the workflow in the Critical Care Laboratory, intraoperative PTH results from the central laboratory could auto-verify (barring any flags or errors preventing this) and thereafter immediately appear in the LIS and then EHR. By this time period, the ORs were routinely using the EHR to accommodate workflow changes brought on by the institutional change to Epic Beaker Clinical Pathology and, in 2015, Epic Beaker Anatomic Pathology as the LIS [ 18 , 20 ]. The change to the Epic Beaker LIS made paper requisitions and subsequent laboratory-initiated ordering much less efficient than with the previous LIS.…”

Impact of Daylight Saving Time on the Clinical Laboratory

“…The laboratory information system (LIS) for all UIHC clinical laboratories is Epic Beaker (version Hyperspace 2017), with Beaker Clinical Pathology and Anatomic Pathology (AP) implemented in 2014 and 2015, respectively. 18 , 19 Interfacing of laboratory instruments to the LIS is mostly via middleware software (Instrument Manager, Data Innovations, Burlington, Vermont). 19 , 20 The core laboratory has a Roche Diagnostics (Indianapolis, Indiana) automated line (8100) that connects to 10 cobas 8000 chemistry analyzers and 2 Sysmex XN series hematology analyzers.…”