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At Emory Hillandale Hospital in Lithonia, Georgia, Apple products have become the standard for both clinicians and patients. This change marks a significant technological transformation, driven by the integration of Epic Systems on Mac devices. Emory Healthcare has introduced a range of Apple products, including Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch across the hospital to improve efficiency and connectivity among healthcare teams.
"We’re not just changing technology, we’re changing a culture," stated Ravi I. Thadhani, MD, MPH, executive vice president for health affairs at Emory University and executive director of Emory’s Woodruff Health Sciences Center. He emphasized that Emory Healthcare is redefining experiences for both patients and clinicians through a more efficient technology-driven process.
The use of Apple devices such as iPhones and iPads has reportedly enhanced mobility and collaboration among clinicians, contributing to improved patient satisfaction. The deployment of Macs throughout Emory Hillandale Hospital signifies a new era in healthcare technology. "As clinicians, we join the field with a deep commitment to serving those in need," said Vikram Narayan, MD, assistant professor of urology at Emory University and a urologic oncologist at Emory Healthcare. He highlighted the complexities of healthcare delivery and how technology can alleviate administrative burdens that contribute to worker burnout.
Dr. Thadhani noted that integrating Epic on Mac at the hospital demonstrates how embracing technology can enhance workflow efficiency for clinicians while prioritizing patient care. To reduce administrative workload, legacy laptops and desktops have been replaced with Mac computers running Epic software across the 100-bed facility. Nursing stations now feature iMacs and Mac minis, allowing physicians to manage patient care remotely via portable MacBook Airs.
Care teams can access patient-specific data using iPads outside each patient room to facilitate better communication and coordination as information updates in real-time. Nurses and physicians receive personal iPhones to maintain connectivity; physicians also utilize Apple Watches for prompt responses to patient needs through notifications from Epic’s Limerick app.
Rashida La Barrie, MD, medical director of utilization review at Emory Hillandale Hospital shared her experience: "I can stay up to date with my patients in a way that wasn’t possible before." She explained how transitioning between an iPhone and Apple Watch helps her remain connected regardless of location, ultimately improving patient care.
Emory Healthcare previously conducted a proof-of-concept program at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital involving shared-use Apple devices among registered nurses and clinicians. This initiative resulted in increased care team satisfaction and strong nurse retention rates due to improvements like faster login times with Apple devices.
Edna Briscoe MSN RN vice president of patient care services commented on this transformation: "The technology we’re utilizing today at Emory Hillandale has improved workflows for our nursing staff as a whole." She noted that Macs allow nurses greater efficiency while iPads provide essential health information directly to patients’ fingertips—enhancing overall care delivery.
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"I want involvement everything related this transformation" Dr.La Barrie expressed optimism regarding future prospects seeing themselves part ongoing evolution shaping modern-day practices today tomorrow alike."