San Francisco Health IT team shares EPIC developments and cybersecurity updates
February 08, 2023 | San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California
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The City of San Francisco's Health Information Technology Quarterly Review meeting on July 4, 2025, highlighted significant advancements and ongoing projects within the Department of Public Health (DPH). Chief Information Officer Eric Raffin and Deputy CIO Jeff Scarafia presented updates on various initiatives aimed at improving health information sharing, cybersecurity, and the implementation of the EPIC electronic health record system.
The meeting began with an overview of accomplishments beyond the EPIC system, emphasizing the importance of health information sharing. The DPH has made strides in integrating data from multiple sources, including electronic health records and social services, to create a comprehensive view of patient care. This integration is crucial for closing gaps in service and enhancing the overall patient experience.
A key focus was on the upcoming transition of behavioral health services to the EPIC system, which will involve a complete overhaul of existing computer systems across 70 service locations. This transition aims to create a unified patient record that reflects the full spectrum of care received by individuals, thereby improving coordination among various health services.
Cybersecurity was also a prominent topic, with updates on the implementation of new policies to protect sensitive health information. The DPH has been working to enhance its cybersecurity framework, ensuring that robust policies support the technical measures already in place. This includes a comprehensive patch management program to secure devices used by staff, particularly in remote work settings.
The meeting also addressed the challenges posed by a 20% vacancy rate within the IT department, which has impacted project timelines and staff workload. The leadership acknowledged the difficulties in filling positions due to competitive hiring conditions in the tech industry, particularly as remote work options become more prevalent.
In conclusion, the meeting underscored the DPH's commitment to leveraging technology to improve health outcomes in San Francisco. With ongoing projects aimed at enhancing data sharing, cybersecurity, and the implementation of the EPIC system, the department is poised to make significant strides in delivering integrated health services to the community. The next steps will involve continued collaboration with community-based organizations and a focus on improving documentation practices at facilities like Laguna Honda Hospital to support recertification efforts.
The meeting began with an overview of accomplishments beyond the EPIC system, emphasizing the importance of health information sharing. The DPH has made strides in integrating data from multiple sources, including electronic health records and social services, to create a comprehensive view of patient care. This integration is crucial for closing gaps in service and enhancing the overall patient experience.
A key focus was on the upcoming transition of behavioral health services to the EPIC system, which will involve a complete overhaul of existing computer systems across 70 service locations. This transition aims to create a unified patient record that reflects the full spectrum of care received by individuals, thereby improving coordination among various health services.
Cybersecurity was also a prominent topic, with updates on the implementation of new policies to protect sensitive health information. The DPH has been working to enhance its cybersecurity framework, ensuring that robust policies support the technical measures already in place. This includes a comprehensive patch management program to secure devices used by staff, particularly in remote work settings.
The meeting also addressed the challenges posed by a 20% vacancy rate within the IT department, which has impacted project timelines and staff workload. The leadership acknowledged the difficulties in filling positions due to competitive hiring conditions in the tech industry, particularly as remote work options become more prevalent.
In conclusion, the meeting underscored the DPH's commitment to leveraging technology to improve health outcomes in San Francisco. With ongoing projects aimed at enhancing data sharing, cybersecurity, and the implementation of the EPIC system, the department is poised to make significant strides in delivering integrated health services to the community. The next steps will involve continued collaboration with community-based organizations and a focus on improving documentation practices at facilities like Laguna Honda Hospital to support recertification efforts.
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