What is an essential feature of the “Audit Trail” in Epic?

The essential feature of the "Audit Trail" in Epic is that it logs all user actions and changes. This functionality is critical for maintaining security and compliance within the system, as it provides a comprehensive record of who accessed information, what changes were made, and when these actions occurred. This logging helps organizations monitor usage, identify potential unauthorized access, and ensure that all actions are traceable, thus enhancing accountability within the electronic health record (EHR) system.

In the context of healthcare, where patient data confidentiality and integrity are paramount, the audit trail is an important tool for conducting audits and investigations if any discrepancies or security breaches arise. By providing a detailed chronological account of user interactions, it supports not only operational needs but also regulatory requirements for data protection and privacy.