The ability to modify the recorded time of a patient interaction within an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, specifically within Epic, is a critical function. Incorrect encounter dates can negatively impact billing accuracy, reporting, and the overall longitudinal patient record. For instance, if a patient was seen on January 15th but the encounter was erroneously logged as January 16th, subsequent actions and record keeping would be based on the incorrect date.
The accuracy of recorded encounters is paramount for compliant billing practices, which are subject to auditing and regulations. Furthermore, accurate dates are essential for reliable data analysis used to track patient outcomes, manage population health, and support clinical research. Historically, correcting these dates could be a complex process, often requiring IT intervention, but contemporary systems aim to provide designated users with streamlined, auditable methods for date modification. This allows health systems to improve operational efficiency and reduce errors.
