Treatment Episodes vs. Classic EMR Parity Information

  • Updated

Kipu currently offers two distinct formats of the EMR system: Classic (Legacy setup) and the new Treatment Episodes setup. Understanding the differences between these two can help you navigate the EMR more efficiently and confidently.

Treatment Episodes introduce a more streamlined, patient-centered approach by organizing all documentation into episodes of care, creating a continuous chart from admission to discharge.

What is a Treatment Episode?

A Treatment Episode is a distinct event where care is provided to a patient. Episodes are grouped into the Episode of Care Summary, a timeline showing the patient’s journey across admissions, changes in level of care or program, transfers, and discharge.

Each episode:

  • Generates its own Episode ID.

  • Includes admission details, care summaries, and documentation.

  • Contributes to a single unified chart that follows the patient across all levels of care, programs, and locations.

Key Enhancements in Treatment Episodes

  • Unified Chart: A single chart for each patient across all levels of care and locations.
  • Patient Header: Always visible, even when switching tabs or scrolling.
  • Manage Button: Central hub to start admissions, update LoC/programs, transfer/add locations, and discharge.
  • Scheduler Integration: Accessible directly from the patient header.
  • Episode of Care Summary: Timeline and statuses with anticipated admission/discharge dates, duration, and care details.
  • Readmission: Simplified process to reopen a patient chart for new care episodes.
  • Improved Documentation: Episodes group related documents and chart summary tabs.

Comparative Overview: Classic EMR vs. Treatment Episodes

The following table outlines the differences between Classic EMR and Treatment Episodes workflows:

Admission Date
Classic EMR

Entered in the facesheet or admission evaluation form (patient.admission_datetime).

Treatment Episodes

Use Episode of Care Summary, admission evaluation form, or Facesheet (patient.admission_datetime).

Anticipated Admission Date
Classic EMR

N/A

Treatment Episodes

Edit on Facesheet or Episode of Care Summary (pencil icon).

Anticipated Discharge Date
Classic EMR

Entered in the facesheet.

Treatment Episodes

Edit on Facesheet or Episode of Care Summary (pencil icon).

Clinical Level of Care (LOC)
Classic EMR

Assigned via Manage Level of Care form (patient.level_of_care_clinical) during admission or chart updates.

Treatment Episodes

Track in Episode of Care Summary or use Manage Level of Care form (patient.level_of_care_clinical).

Chart Structure
Classic EMR

New linked chart required when LoC, program, or location changes; docs transferred manually.

Treatment Episodes

Manage button → Episode of Care Summary; one chart spans all episodes, docs grouped per episode.

Dashboard
Classic EMR

Displays Clinical Level of Care.

Treatment Episodes

Patient header shows active Episode with Location, LoC, Program, and Duration.

Discharge / Transition Date
Classic EMR

Entered in facesheet or Discharge form (patient.discharge_type).

Treatment Episodes

Use Episode of Care Summary, Discharge eval (patient.discharge_datetime), or Facesheet.

Discharge Type
Classic EMR

Entered in an evaluation form (patient.discharge_type).

Treatment Episodes

Edit in Episode of Care Summary or discharge eval (patient.discharge_type).

Episode ID
Classic EMR

N/A

Treatment Episodes

New Episode ID created each time patient changes LoC/program/location; each holds its own summary.

Group Sessions
Classic EMR

Displays Clinical Level of Care.

Treatment Episodes

Displays Episode details: Location, LoC, Program, Duration.

Icons
Classic EMR

Fixed row of icons.

Treatment Episodes

Redesigned action icons; collapsible into menu on small screens.

Location Transfer
Classic EMR

Via Chart Tracker or Classic EMR Transfer tool.

Treatment Episodes

Manage button → Episode of Care Summary; update Location, LoC, Program within active episode.

Manage Button
Classic EMR

No Manage button; actions are accessed via chart tabs/icons.

Treatment Episodes

Centralized button to start admissions, LoC changes, transfers, and discharges.

Medical Record Number (MR#)
Classic EMR

Assigned manually on Facesheet; multiple charts with different MRNs possible.

Treatment Episodes

Admission from Facesheet, Episode of Care Summary, or eval; MRN auto-generated and consistent across episodes.

Program / Program Date
Classic EMR

Entered in Facesheet.

Treatment Episodes

Managed in Episode of Care Summary.

Readmit
Classic EMR

From Information tab after discharge.

Treatment Episodes

Readmit button available once admitted.

Rounds
Classic EMR

Displays Clinical Level of Care.

Treatment Episodes

Displays Episode info: Location, LoC, Program, Duration.

Scheduler Integration
Classic EMR

Appointments via Scheduler tab.

Treatment Episodes

Scheduler accessible directly from Patient Header.

User Interface
Classic EMR

Classic tab layout and patient header.

Treatment Episodes

Modernized patient header and visuals.

How to Identify Your Instance

When you log in to Kipu EMR, Treatment Episodes instances display:

My Locations drop-down with a blue background, showing your current time and time zone.

My Locations drop-down with time and time zone

Landing Page widget displaying patient counts by level of care (LoC).

Landing Page LoC widget

Modernized Patient Header with a Manage button to initiate treatment episodes.

Patient Header with Manage button

 

If you see these features, your system is using Treatment Episodes. Otherwise, you are on Classic EMR.

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