Workplace Efficiency & Function

We offer a variety of programs to encourage workplace efficiency, where job functions are clearly delineated and teams work together efficiently and effectively. Many of our programs are geared to specific Mount Sinai groups. 

Faculty members can avail themselves of these programs:

  • Epic/IT Programs: Led by Aaron Patterson, MD and Avniel Shetreat-Klein, MD, we have launched the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Optimization Initiative to support our faculty. We are undertaking several EHR improvement initiatives:

    • Epic Provider Learning Home Dashboard: This one-stop shop offers links to Epic tip sheets, websites, and upgrade materials.
    • Virtual Drop-in Sessions with the Ambulatory Epic Optimization Team: You can talk with the nurses or providers about the ambulatory epic optimization team on most Wednesdays from noon to 2 pm on Zoom (dates/time are subject to change; check the for details).
    • Epic Training Opportunities and Physician Power User Certification: You may attend classes in Epic or request one-on-one training by contacting the Epic Training Team. Our virtual trainings can provide continuing medical education credit.  
    • Epic Champions Program: A network of providers serve as Epic Champions to help us continually improve the system to best meet the needs of staff and promote change.
      • Fluency Direct: This speech-to-text solution lets you create, edit, and sign clinical notes directly within Epic in real-time. You navigate Epic by speaking into a microphone or smartphone, rather than using a mouse. This approach increases provider satisfaction, improves documentation quality, can be used remotely, and provides cost savings. The costs involved are:
        • License: $595.00 per year per user
        • Hardware: $300.00 per microphone (free mobile app available)
        • Training: Peak training available or $180.00 per hour for an M*Modal trainer
      • Nuance Dax: This dictation product uses artificial intelligence to generate electronic health record entries during doctor visits. It records visits on your smartphone and can distinguish between the provider and patient voices, extract key concepts from the transcript, and generate notes. You can then edit and sign the note. 

    • Epic InBasket Management Committee: Our office, in partnership with Mount Sinai Doctors Faculty Practice and Epic, works to improve the InBasket management experience for you and your patients. Email owbr@mssm.edu for more information.
    • Electronic Health Record and Clinical Burden Reduction Grants: Our grant programsupports innovations that improve team efficiency, optimize electronic record functioning, and enhance team communications. Email  owbr@mssm.edu for more information.

Our residents and clinical fellows can participate in a variety of opportunities. These include:

  • GME Wellness Days: You have four wellness days per academic year in addition to other leave time (i.e., sick and vacation leave) to attend to personal health and wellness. We structure this to minimize disruptions to patient care and training. For further information, please review the Expectations for the Promotion of Trainee Well-being and contact your program leadership.
  • Graduate Medical Exam Expectations for the Promotion of Trainee Well-being: The Graduate Medical Education Committee is committed to restoring and maintaining meaning in work and professional fulfillment for physician trainees systemwide. We aim to promote a culture supportive of the psychological, emotional, and physical well-being of all trainees. We recognize that we cannot improve trainee well-being without addressing faculty well-being, so we work in conjunction with existing faculty-level wellness interventions. We expect departments to focus on resident and clinical fellow well-being as laid out in Expectations for the Promotion of Trainee Well-being. This Includes: 
    • Education-to-Service Balance
    • Work Hours, Leave, and Coverage
    • Trainee Health Needs
    • Faculty Mentorship Programs
    • Development of a Wellness Curriculum
    • Mandate Enforcement, Evaluation, and Monitoring