Epic Skills Assessment Patient Data Management 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Epic, what is the 'Snapshot' used for?
- Displaying a high-level summary of key patient data points on a single screen for quick review (Correct answer)
- Taking a screenshot of the patient's chart for printing
- Capturing a point-in-time backup of the medical record
- Generating a billing summary for the patient
Correct answer: Displaying a high-level summary of key patient data points on a single screen for quick review
The Snapshot activity provides a configurable, at-a-glance summary of the patient's most critical data elements to support rapid clinical assessment.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'Referential Data' in the context of Epic patient data management?
- Standardized code sets (e.g., ICD-10, SNOMED) used to classify and exchange clinical data consistently (Correct answer)
- Free-text notes written by providers
- Scanned documents attached to the patient chart
- Patient-reported outcome measures
Correct answer: Standardized code sets (e.g., ICD-10, SNOMED) used to classify and exchange clinical data consistently
Referential data includes standardized terminologies and code sets that ensure consistent meaning across systems and support interoperability.
Question 3: A patient is transferred between two Epic-using facilities within the same health system. What happens to their medical record?
- The single MRN and unified record follow the patient across facilities within the shared Epic environment (Correct answer)
- A new MRN is created at the receiving facility
- Only the discharge summary is transferred
- The record is archived and a new encounter opened
Correct answer: The single MRN and unified record follow the patient across facilities within the shared Epic environment
Within a shared Epic instance, the patient's MRN and longitudinal record are accessible across all affiliated facilities without duplication.
Question 4: What is the role of the 'Enterprise Master Patient Index (EMPI)' in Epic?
- Maintaining a single, authoritative patient identity record across multiple systems and facilities (Correct answer)
- Managing the hospital's financial master file
- Tracking medical device inventory
- Scheduling enterprise-wide staff assignments
Correct answer: Maintaining a single, authoritative patient identity record across multiple systems and facilities
The EMPI ensures each patient has a unique, consistent identity record across all systems, preventing duplicates and enabling accurate data exchange.
Question 5: When documenting a patient's advance directive status in Epic, which of the following is true?
- The existence and location of the advance directive should be documented, and a copy can be scanned into the chart (Correct answer)
- Only physicians may document advance directive status
- Advance directives are stored only in the billing system
- This information is optional and not required for inpatient encounters
Correct answer: The existence and location of the advance directive should be documented, and a copy can be scanned into the chart
Epic allows staff to document whether an advance directive exists, its location, and to attach a scanned copy, supporting legal and care planning requirements.
Question 6: In Epic, which action should be taken when a patient's address is identified as undeliverable (returned mail)?
- Flag the address as undeliverable in the demographics and document the date discovered (Correct answer)
- Delete the address from the system immediately
- Enter a temporary address without documentation
- Discharge the patient from the practice
Correct answer: Flag the address as undeliverable in the demographics and document the date discovered
Flagging an undeliverable address maintains the data record while alerting staff to obtain updated contact information, which is important for care continuity.
Question 7: Which Epic tool is designed to help ensure that patient data entered at registration matches the information on the patient's insurance card?
- Real-Time Eligibility (RTE) verification (Correct answer)
- Chart Audit Trail
- InBasket notification
- Bed Management module
Correct answer: Real-Time Eligibility (RTE) verification
Real-Time Eligibility (RTE) queries the payer's system electronically to verify and match insurance information against what the patient provided at registration.
In Epic, what is the 'Snapshot' used for?