In certain situations, when entering dates in Epic (flowsheets, medication expirations, appointment scheduling, etc.) an issue can occur. It is possible for the two-digit year value in a date (such as 3/1/25) to represent a time more than two years in the future. With the issue Epic cannot determine if 3/1/25 is a past year (1925) or a future year (2025) and it assumes it is 1925. 

To avoid the issue, users should select the date from the calendar or manually enter the full, four-digit year in the date field, such as 3/1/2025. 

The Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Records (MSDH-VR) utilizes an Electric Death Registration System (EDRS) to provide on-line access by multiple death registration participants and not have to complete a piece of paper. Participation in EDRS is a requirement of MSDH-VR and UMMC transitioned to the electronic process on November 1, 2021. 

Upon patient death, the EDRS process is as follows: 

• Nursing staff completes Patient Death flowsheet in Epic. It must be completed before the patient can be transferred/discharged to the morgue. 
  • The Patient Death Flowsheet in Epic has been updated with the following changes: 
    • Removal of the attending flowsheet group. 
    • Ability to document the last name and first name of the provider that pronounced the patient expiration. 
    • A new row to document if the provider pronouncing the patient expiration was a NP or PA. 
      • If NP or PA pronounces the death, a documentation row cascades to allow for documentation of the attending provider on record to be selected. 
    • Addition of "Family" in the Contact Name row to make clear of who is being contacted. 
• Message is generated to HIM. 
• HIM clerk initiates EDRS case and assigns to provider listed in death flowsheet (Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.). HIM will assign EDRS cases that were submitted after hours when they return for normal business hours. 
• Once case is initiated, provider receives notice from EDRS system via Outlook to complete death certificate. 
• Case is closed.