Implementing epic fast pass for echocardiogram and endoscopy to improve healthcare access and utilization

Abstract Access and efficient resource utilization remain critical challenges in healthcare, often leading to long wait times despite unfilled outpatient appointments. Epic Fast Pass (EFP), an innovative feature within the Electronic Health Record (EHR), has improved outpatient appointment scheduling, reduced wait times, and enhanced access in routine appointments. Guided by the principles of a learning health system, we describe the novel application of EFP to imaging and procedural services, specifically outpatient echocardiograms and endoscopies. We collected user data over 15 months for echocardiograms and 4 months for endoscopies. For echocardiograms, 41.26% of patients accepted an offer, improving their appointment times by an average of 12.8 days. For endoscopies, 48.35% accepted, with an average improvement of 50.43 days. Our results demonstrate that rescheduling tools for outpatient imaging and procedural appointments are both feasible and promising, with the potential to enhance patient access and optimize resource utilization.