What outcome is enhanced by using “Alerts” in Epic?

Using "Alerts" in Epic primarily enhances improvement in patient safety decision-making. Alerts serve as timely notifications for healthcare providers, drawing attention to critical clinical information that may affect patient safety. For instance, they can remind clinicians of potential drug interactions, allergy considerations, or the need for follow-up tests. This proactive approach helps ensure that critical health information is not overlooked, thereby facilitating safer clinical decisions.

In the context of patient care, the importance of having immediate access to safety-related information cannot be overstated. By integrating these alerts into the workflow, clinicians can respond more effectively to urgent patient needs and reduce the likelihood of errors that could compromise patient safety.

The other options, while relevant to the healthcare system's operational efficiency, do not capture the core function of alerts as strongly as improving patient safety decision-making does. Reducing wait times and increasing system usage may be influenced indirectly by alerts—through better coordination and communication—but the primary purpose of alerts is centered on patient safety.