by Madison Agee
Ten EpicLeap Space Stations were launched in Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) inpatient areas, outpatient clinics and other locations in September, and they provided a unique way for employees to learn more about the sweeping technology initiative to implement VUMC’s new clinical, administrative and billing software.
“Going in, I only had a general awareness of what EpicLeap was all about,” said Betsy Ames, a software sourcing specialist for VUMC IT, who said she found her visit to the Space Station at Vanderbilt University Hospital a valuable use of her time.
“I thought that all the program was doing was replacing StarPanel and was surprised to learn just how large the scope of EpicLeap really is. Plus, it was a fun event, and the staff were all very knowledgeable.”
Here’s how the Space Stations worked: visitors were given a “Mission Checklist” at the beginning of their visit, and then encouraged to complete a series of five activities, each of which provided information on the program.
After each activity — most of which were designed as interactive games — visitors received a stamp on their checklist. Activities included a spin-the-wheel for EpicLeap terminology, a matching game on frequently asked questions, a walkthrough of the program website, an orientation to the EpicLeap timeline and a discussion of the many benefits colleagues will experience after EpicLeap goes live. Once visitors received all five stamps, they were “cleared for launch” and received an EpicLeap-branded gift at Mission Checkout.
The Space Stations were staffed by nearly 150 EpicLeap Ambassadors, as well as members of the program’s Change Management and Training teams, all of whom volunteered their time, with many working multiple shifts in multiple locations.
Ambassador and Patient Relations Specialist Janie Bailey found the experience particularly rewarding.
“I loved seeing employees leave the Space Station genuinely excited. EpicLeap is something we are all a part of — that will impact all of us at VUMC — and the Space Station helped to drive that home,” she said.
In all, nearly 2,000 VUMC faculty and staff visited an EpicLeap Space Station, all of whom were eligible to enter a drawing for a $250 Amazon gift card. That was ultimately won by Sherry Vick, patient lodging coordinator in the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
