March 06, 2019 12:25 PM
Epic EHR software isn't accessible for blind hospital employees, suit claims
Jessica Kim Cohen
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The National Federation of the Blind sued Epic Systems Corp. over its electronic health record software, alleging that blind hospital employees can’t use the program.
The complaint in federal court in Massachusetts last week alleges a part-time hospital dispatcher at Boston-based Brigham and Women Hospital couldn’t perform his job duties after the provider went live on an Epic EHR in 2015. The employee was ultimately placed on a paid leave of absence because of the difficulties, the lawsuit alleged.
The advocacy group claims Epic violated state law by selling and licensing EHR software that isn’t accessible to hospital employees who are blind.
Epic is one of the biggest brands in the EHR space. The Verona, Wis.-based company boasts more than 200 million patients have digital records at providers using its EHR system.
“We value, respect and support our customers’ employees who use screen readers and other assistive technologies with Epic and other vendor software to do their jobs every day,” an Epic spokesperson said in a prepared statement. “We assist our customers as they tailor specific [...]