
Verona-based Epic Systems Corp. has started an online journal for discoveries about COVID-19 gleaned from its electronic medical records.
When experts worried some high blood pressure medications could harm people with COVID-19, researchers at Epic Systems Corp. mined data from 69,000 patients, which suggested the drugs were safe.
After the coronavirus shutdown in March caused many patients to avoid routine care, Verona-based Epic quantified the impact on cancer screening: Tests to detect breast, cervical and colon cancer dropped about 90%, which encouraged hospitals to boost screening again.
Those findings and many others have been published in the Epic Health Research Network, an online journal the company started this spring to rapidly share observational research gathered from its electronic medical records. The effort, discussed before COVID-19, was accelerated by the pandemic.
“Things are unfolding very quickly, and getting those learnings into the hands of the appropriate people is really important,” said Dr. Chris Mast, Epic’s vice president of clinical informatics.
Epic, which has more than 10,000 employees and had $3.2 billion in revenue last year, provides electronic medical records to nearly a third of U.S. hospitals, including many large ones. More than two-thirds of Americans have some type of Epic record.
About 70 Epic customers, representing about 60 million patients, are part of Cosmos, a warehouse of anonymous patient data that can be probed to answer clinical questions and help doctors make decisions. Roughly the same number of customers and patients are part of another program, Insights, set up specifically to look into COVID-19 care. The two groups overlap to some extent.
Since COVID-19 hit, Epic researchers have been investigating the data sets to explore questions about the coronavirus. Some of its customers have similarly queried their own Epic records. Together, they have published more than three dozen articles about their discoveries on the Epic Health Research Network, a new type of medical journal.
The Flint model
The effort is a new way to disseminate public health findings like one that garnered significant attention in 2016, when a doctor in Flint, Michigan analyzed Epic records to discover high levels of lead in children’s blood stemming from the water supply.
Like the “preprint” journals bioRxiv and medRxiv, which aim to quickly share knowledge during COVID-19, the Epic Health Research Network publishes articles that haven’t undergone the peer review typically required by traditional journals such as Science and Nature.
This April, at Lee Health in Fort Myers, Florida, several patients died unexpectedly from complications of blood clots. The hospital analyzed its Epic records to learn that COVID-19 patients were three times as likely as others to develop blood clots, which led doctors to routinely give blood thinners to high-risk patients.
Mount Sinai Health System in New York examined its Epic records to find that patients in their 60s and 70s with dementia — who often have other conditions like diabetes — were more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19 than patients the same age without dementia.
Broad analysis
The study of drugs for high blood pressure was prompted by concerns that some drugs, called RAAS inhibitors, could activate coronavirus cell receptors to make people more susceptible to COVID-19.
But the Epic analysis of 69,000 patients with high blood pressure and COVID-19 found those on RAAS inhibitors did no worse than those on other drugs and better than those not taking drugs for their high blood pressure. Other research yielded similar conclusions.
In May, Epic published an article showing that breast and cervical cancer screenings were down 94%, and colon cancer tests were down 86%, in the spring compared to the same period the previous three years.
“If the trend continues, the data suggest that many cancer cases could go undiagnosed or be diagnosed at a later stage with a poorer prognosis,” the article said.
An update in July said the screenings had increased but were still about a third lower than normal. Between March 15 and June 16, Epic researchers said, 285,000 breast exams, 95,000 colon tests, and 40,000 cervical screenings were missed.
The assessments of COVID-19 treatments and outcomes, and of the pandemic’s impact on clinical care, will continue to be important as the pandemic evolves, said Seth Hain, Epic’s vice president of research and development.
“We expect both of these types of observation studies ... to be relevant as we look forward to a vaccine,” he said.
Epic Systems over the years

An aerial view of Epic System Corp.'s 1,100-acre campus in Verona includes the curved Voyager Hall and adjacent Epicenter that make up the Learning Campus on the far left, the newest Storybook campus on the upper right, the Wizards Academy campus at the top, the Prairie and Central Park campuses in the center, and the Farm Campus at center left, mirroring the working farm buildings on the property, at lower left.
Epic Systems over the years

This is the computer that held the first records for the company, founded in 1979, that became Epic Systems Corp. Founder Judy Faulkner was the sole full-time employee.
Epic Systems over the years

In the 1990s, Epic occupied the former Odana School building, 5301 Tokay Blvd., and ran out of space as the company grew. This 1997 photo shows construction of a $10 million addition, rising behind Westgate Mall.
Epic Systems over the years

Foundations are poured for the first buildings at Epic Systems Corp.'s campus in Verona, in this photo from 2004. At the time, the company was planning for six office buildings to hold 1,200 employees. Today, employment at the electronic health records company is just under 10,000.
Epic Systems over the years

A view from one prairie-style building to another, in this photo of the Epic Systems Corp. campus in Verona in 2006.
Epic Systems over the years

Epic's red, curved Voyager Hall, part of the Learning Campus -- shown in this 2007 photo -- is a landmark for the sprawling campus in Verona.
Epic Systems over the years

Ever wish you could leave your office behind and retreat to the haven of a cozy tree house? This one at Epic Systems is made of scraps and leftovers from Campus 1 construction. A cowbell chimes as employees step across the wooden suspension bridge. But inside, there are electric lights and plenty of sockets to plug in laptop computers.
Epic Systems over the years

Epic Systems Corp.'s Verona headquarters includes several sets of buildings designed with different themes, including its Farm Campus.
Epic Systems over the years

In keeping with the theme of Epic’s Farm Campus, a sitting area in one of the office buildings is decorated to look like a farm field with Holsteins grazing nearby.
Epic Systems over the years

Epic's Verona campus is known for its colorful, unusual artwork, such as this wooden sculpture meant to express joy.
Epic Systems over the years

Epic's whimsical artwork includes sculptures such as this, scattered around the campus and throughout the buildings of its Verona campus.
Epic Systems over the years

Epic's Kings Cross building is the culinary center of the company's Wizards Academy buildings.
Epic Systems over the years

Epic Systems bought the 1927 carousel from Ella's Deli on East Washington Avenue along with many of the circus-related toys that entertained diners at the East Side restaurant.
Epic Systems over the years

Workers with JP Cullen work to disassemble the carousel outside the former Ella's Deli in 2018. The carousel, purchased by Epic Systems Corp., has been put back together and is available to see on tours of Epic's Verona campus.
Epic Systems over the years

Epic Systems Corp. founder and CEO Judy Faulkner
Epic Systems over the years

Construction on the EPIC campus in Verona.photo by David Sandell (PUBLISHED 7/29/04) Epic Systems' $100 million-plus campus is taking shape on a 345 acre site on the west side of Verona, helping spur the rapid growth in "Hometown USA."
Epic Systems over the years

Epic Systems Corporation, Madison, Wis., Thursday, June 5, 2003, develops software for health care. They're big and they're moving to Verona, Wis. as suggested in this campus look. WSJphoto/Joseph W. Jackson III (PUBLISHED 6/8/03) This model shows plans for Epic System Corp.'s $100 million campus designed by the Cuningham Group and Associates, Minneapolis, architect for the addition on Epic's current building and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, Seattle, whose projects include part of the Microsoft campus in Redmond, Wash. Each office building would house no more than about 300 employees. A planned treehouse is not shown.
Epic Systems over the years

For feature on Epic Systems, located in Verona. photo by Mike DeVries PUBLISHED 3-25-09 NO CAPTION
Epic Systems over the years

A massive hole in the ground is one sign of the progress on Epic's Campus 2. Photographed Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at Epic Systems in Verona, Wis. Construction continues on "campus 2". WSJ/John Maniaci (Published caption 4/27/08) This huge hole will become a four-story, underground parking ramp for Epic Systems Corp., the first structure of its Campus 2, as the electronic medical records company continues to expand its Verona headquarters. Four more office buildings are also part of the project.
Epic Systems over the years

Colorful park benches encourage larger groups of employees to sit together in the cafeteria. Photographed Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at Epic Systems in Verona, Wis. Construction continues on "campus 2". WSJ/John Maniaci (Published caption 4/27/08) Brightly colored picnic tables beckon to diners at Epic Systems' big employee cafeteria, which features different entrees, soups, sandwiches and desserts every day, prepared from scratch by a staff of 50. The picnic tables are a way to "get people together and build a neighborhood," says Brian E. Miller, who shares executive chef duties with Mark Hale.
Epic Systems over the years

A waterfall greets employees as they move across the Epic land. Photographed Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at Epic Systems in Verona, Wis. Construction continues on "campus 2". WSJ/John Maniaci (Published caption 4/27/08) A pond and waterfall outside the company cafeteria provide a peaceful harbor for Epic employees.
Epic Systems over the years

An old-fashioned treehouse is set in the middle of the modern Epic land. Photographed Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at Epic Systems in Verona, Wis. Construction continues on "campus 2". WSJ/John Maniaci (Published caption 4/27/08) From the company's rustic tree house in the woods, Epic employees have a view of the first set of tidy, low-slung office buildings that will soon be joined by a similar set, under construction now. The Verona medical records technology company has grown to 3,000 employees, up from about 900, five years ago.
Epic Systems over the years

Giant cranes mark the site of Campus 2. Photographed Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at Epic Systems in Verona, Wis. Construction continues on "campus 2". WSJ/John Maniaci (Published caption 6/28/08) Cranes mark the site of Campus 2 in April, an expansion by Epic Systems under the direction of contractor J.P. Cullen & Sons Inc.
Epic Systems over the years

Aerial view of newly constructed building on Epic Systems campus in Verona. photo by Mike DeVries (Published 9/19/07) Epic System Corp.'s new learning center, with its giant "Epicenter" theater, welcomed for the first time clients gathering this week for the firm's annual Users Group Meeting. The snaking learning center is part of the company's growing Verona headquarters. PUBLISHED CAPTION 10-22-08 Epic Systems, Verona. Estimated value: $45 million (phase one) TIF assistance: $18 million.
Epic Systems over the years

Epic System campus, Verona, Wis., November 3, 2006. Joseph W. Jackson III - State Journal (PUBLISHED 11/12/06) Glass-enclosed walkways connect the first six buildings of Epic's new campus at 1979 Milky Way, Verona.
Epic Systems over the years

The Epic Systems campus in Verona is one of the area's largest employers and a leader in the Madison region's booming tech economy.
Epic Systems over the years

The Epic Systems campus in Verona is one of the area's largest employers and a leader in the Madison region's booming tech economy. A new study finds the area is a national leader in the growth of technology jobs.
Epic Systems over the years

The Epic Systems campus in Verona, Wis.