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Professional Development
Clinical Informatics Council: Empowering Nurses Through Technology

By Laurel R. Roeder, BSN, RN, FCN – Clinical Informaticist – Houston Methodist The Woodlands and Christy Adams, MSN, RN, RNC-NIC – Neonatal ICU Manager/Inpatient & Outpatient Lactation Manager – Houston Methodist The Woodlands

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The Houston Methodist Clinical Informatics Councils support the effective use of technology in clinical practice through a standardized framework that promotes consistency, collaboration and frontline nurse engagement across the system. Council priorities include the following:
  • Integrating local councils into the enhancement ticket review process to ensure frontline staff perspectives inform system decisions.
  • Disseminating Epic upgrade materials and content to Clinical Informatics Councils to promote awareness and readiness.
  • Summarizing and sharing relevant updates from system-level councils to ensure consistent communication and alignment.
  • Unifying local Clinical Informatics Councils through collaboration with the Nursing Efficiency Workgroup to promote consistency, reduce duplication and strengthen collective impact.
Clinical Informatics Councils exist across Houston Methodist campuses, although their names may vary by location. For example, the Houston Methodist Cypress council is known as the Research, Innovation, Science and Evidence (RISE) Council.
Staff interested in joining their local Clinical Informatics Council should:
  • Discuss their interest with their manager and obtain support.
  • Complete the Shared Governance Commitment Form.
  • Contact their campus council leadership to be added as a council member.
Epic Enhancement Ideas
Epic enhancement ideas may be submitted to the council for review. Staff from medical-surgical units, intensive care units (ICUs), emergency departments (EDs) and Case Management (CM) may submit requests by completing the Epic Enhancement Idea Submission Form.
For questions, workflow support, assistance with Epic-related issues or information about joining a local Clinical Informatics Council, staff may contact their local Nurse Informaticist.