Guiding Principles

Guiding Principle #1

Patients are our number one priority

The priorities for all system design and implementation decisions are patient safety, quality and service excellence.

Guiding Principle #2

We are all accountable for the project’s success

The project will be jointly owned and driven by clinical and operational leaders for content, workflow, testing and training; and IT for system build, testing, training and implementation. Everyone is important and is expected to step up – speak up – and be counted.

Guiding Principle #3

Use Epic system design

The Epic foundation system will be used with limited configuration changes, i.e., significant clinical, regulatory and/or business case. We will look to enhance/optimize the Epic system for the combined organization.

Guiding Principle #4

Standardize workflow and content

• Operationally- and clinically-led workflow and process standardization will drive health system objectives versus individual unit, office or departmental objectives
• No sacred cows or paving of cow paths

Guiding Principle #5

Work as one Ballad Health team

• Decisions will be based on what is best for the organization as a whole, not what is best for an individual department or facility
• We will meet all project timelines, support team decisions and adhere to the project “rules of the road.” We will limit adding new features/functionality and install no new systems (unless deemed critical by IT Leadership) to allow resources to work on the onboarding process.