REDCap to Epic interfaces create an efficient hybrid software solution for a public health registry

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Environmental Health

Background:

• The Flint water crisis necessitated a public health registry and intervention to address lead exposure.
• Community input and technological requirements guided solution development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a hybrid software solution for managing a public health registry.
• To detail the interfaces created to integrate Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) and Epic for participant management.

Main Methods:

• A hybrid software approach combining REDCap for surveys and Epic for participant management was employed.
• Unidirectional ADT and Documentation Flowsheet interfaces were built to automate data transfer between REDCap and Epic.
• Key protocol variables were copied from REDCap to Epic to ensure data consistency.

Main Results:

• The hybrid system successfully integrated REDCap and Epic, enabling efficient participant identification, referral, and tracking.
• Automated data flow through the interfaces was critical for leveraging the strengths of both software systems.
• The system demonstrated usefulness in managing public health services for lead-exposed individuals from December 2018 to December 2020.

Conclusions:

• The developed hybrid software solution effectively addressed the public health needs arising from the Flint water crisis.
• The integration of REDCap and Epic via custom interfaces proved vital for successful intervention delivery.
• This approach highlights the potential of hybrid systems in managing public health crises and improving service accessibility.