What process occurs after a clinician places a medication order in Epic?

When a clinician places a medication order in Epic, the first step in the process is that a charge drop occurs. This charge drop is essential as it ensures that the medication order is recorded in the system for billing purposes. It initiates the workflow that tracks medication usage for the patient, which is important for both financial and clinical documentation.

After the charge drop, other processes take place, such as verification of patient information by nurses and subsequent actions by pharmacy staff including loading and dispatching the medication. However, the primary immediate action that occurs right after the order is sent is this charge drop, linking the order to the patient's medical record and ensuring it is accounted for in the hospital's inventory and billing systems. This step is crucial in maintaining accurate records and facilitates a seamless transition to the next steps in patient care.