At Emory Hillandale Hospital in Lithonia, Georgia, Apple products have become integral to the hospital’s operations. This initiative is a pioneering step in technology transformation for both clinicians and patients. The adoption of Epic Systems on Mac has facilitated the use of Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch throughout the hospital. This change allows clinicians to work more efficiently and maintain connectivity with their teams from any location.
“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. “Emory Healthcare is redefining both the patient and clinician experiences with a more efficient and intuitive technology-driven process.”
The deployment of Apple products like iPhone and iPad has improved mobility, efficiency, and collaboration among clinicians. The introduction of Mac devices across Emory Hillandale Hospital signifies a new era for healthcare technology.
“As clinicians, we join the field with a deep commitment to serving those in need,” commented Vikram Narayan, MD, assistant professor of urology at Emory University and a urologic oncologist at Emory Healthcare. “But the reality of healthcare delivery is inherently complex and multifaceted.”
Dr. Thadhani added that integrating Epic on Mac at Emory Hillandale Hospital demonstrates how technology can enhance workflow for clinicians to prioritize patient care.
To reduce administrative burdens, laptops and desktops at the 100-bed hospital have been replaced with Macs running Epic software. Nursing stations are equipped with iMacs and Mac minis while physicians manage patient care using portable MacBook Airs.
Care teams access patient-specific data using magnetically attached iPads outside each patient room. This real-time information improves communication between care teams. Nurses and physicians receive personal iPhones for connectivity, while Apple Watches help physicians respond promptly to patient needs through real-time notifications from Epic’s Limerick app.
“I can stay up to date with my patients in a way that wasn’t possible before,” said Rashida La Barrie, MD, medical director of utilization review at Emory Hillandale Hospital. Dr. La Barrie emphasized that transitioning between iPhone and Apple Watch enhances her ability to provide better care.
Before this deployment at Emory Hillandale Hospital, a proof-of-concept program was conducted at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital. The introduction of shared-use Apple devices led to increased satisfaction among care teams and strong nurse retention rates.
Edna Brisco, MSN, RN, vice president of patient care services at Emory Hillandale Hospital remarked on the impact: “The technology we’re utilizing today has improved workflows for our nursing staff as a whole.”
Apple products also contribute to enhancing inpatient experiences through MyChart Bedside app on iPads provided at each bed for easy access to medical records and communication with care teams.
As cybersecurity threats increase globally in healthcare settings holding sensitive data like health records or personal information becomes crucially important; Apple’s focus on privacy ensures safety for healthcare organizations’ data.
Looking forward, Emory Healthcare plans further innovation in patient care using Apple devices including testing new technologies such as Apple Vision Pro in surgical planning.
“I want to be involved in everything related to this transformation,” Dr. La Barrie expressed optimism about future developments stating: “I think this is the future of healthcare.”
