Implementing Epic Beaker Laboratory Information System for Diagnostics in Anatomic Pathology

Abstract

Medicine is expeditiously evolving, and the number of diagnostic opportunities has increased exponentially in the last decade. Electronic medical records (EMRs) have been welcomed in most institutions worldwide following an early period of suspicious behavior. Unfortunately, several cracks dictated the initial approach to hospital systems and leadership incompetency. However, the pathway for a successful decade of EMRs is paved. This narrative review illustrates some principles implementing Epic Beaker software for anatomic pathology in academic medical institutions. Implementing such software improves the diagnostic approach in the division of anatomic pathology because the pathologists can directly access an enormous amount of clinical and radiological information now at their front desk using extremely versatile windows.

Keywords: Beaker; Epic; diagnostics; laboratory information system; quality assurance.

Figure 1

Tissue-based workflow in Epic Beaker. Following admission or patient registration, patient care unit will lead the process with the Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS). The CDSS helps physicians to choose evidence-based decisions, regarding patients’ needs and this is the major rational task, which targets to be implemented worldwide. In a computerized provider order entry (CPOE) environment, the anatomic pathology Beaker Workflow includes grossing, histology, and sign-out phases. Grossing involves either medical technologist or a resident/fellow. Histology involves the medical diagnostic laboratory with tissue slides cutting and processing. In the sign-out phase, if no additional special stains (SS), immunohistochemistry (IHC), or molecular biology tasks need to be implemented, the histopathology report can be sign-out by the staff pathologist after revision of the resident/fellow. All Epic applications use a single shared list, which is called the Specimen Source Dictionary ORD325.