Epic to Cerner Migration Guide
Migrate from Epic to Cerner with zero patient care disruption. HIPAA-compliant, automated HL7 FHIR mapping, and 70% faster than traditional methods.
Epic to Cerner Migration Challenges
Different Data Models
Epic Chronicles and Cerner Millennium use fundamentally different data structures requiring complex mapping
Patient Care Continuity
Cannot disrupt patient care during migration - requires zero downtime approach
Clinical Workflow Changes
Staff training and workflow adaptation while maintaining quality of care
Regulatory Compliance
Must maintain HIPAA, HITECH, and meaningful use compliance throughout migration
4-Phase Epic to Cerner Migration Process
Discovery & Assessment (Week 1-2)
- Automated Epic data profiling and volume analysis
- Cerner target environment configuration
- Clinical workflow mapping and gap analysis
- HIPAA compliance validation and security assessment
Automated Mapping & Transformation (Week 3-5)
- AI-powered Epic Chronicles to Cerner Millennium mapping
- HL7 FHIR standard conversion for interoperability
- Clinical terminology mapping (ICD-10, SNOMED CT, LOINC)
- Automated data quality validation and cleansing
Testing & Validation (Week 6-8)
- Comprehensive patient record validation
- Clinical workflow testing with end users
- Integration testing with lab, pharmacy, imaging systems
- Performance and load testing
Go-Live & Support (Week 9-12)
- Phased rollout by department or facility
- Real-time data synchronization during transition
- 24/7 support during go-live period
- Post-migration validation and optimization
Epic to Cerner Data Mapping
| Epic Component | Cerner Equivalent | Mapping Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Chronicles Database | Millennium Database | AI-powered schema mapping |
| Patient Master File | Person Table | Direct mapping with deduplication |
| Orders (ORM) | Orders (ORDERS table) | HL7 FHIR ServiceRequest |
| Clinical Notes | Clinical Event (CE) | Document reference mapping |
| Medications (MAR) | Pharmacy (MED_ORDER) | RxNorm standardization |
| Lab Results | Lab Results (RESULT) | LOINC code mapping |
| Diagnoses | Diagnosis (DIAGNOSIS) | ICD-10/SNOMED CT mapping |
HIPAA Compliance Throughout Migration
Data Encryption
AES-256 encryption at rest and TLS 1.3 in transit for all PHI
Access Controls
Role-based access control (RBAC) with audit logging for all data access
Audit Trails
Comprehensive logging of all data access and modifications
Business Associate Agreement
Full BAA coverage with liability protection and breach notification
People Also Ask
How long does an Epic to Cerner migration take?
With AI-powered automation, Epic to Cerner migrations typically take 8-12 weeks compared to 12-18 months with traditional methods. The timeline includes discovery, automated mapping, comprehensive testing, and phased go-live with zero patient care disruption.
Can we migrate from Epic to Cerner without downtime?
Yes. We use a phased rollout approach with real-time data synchronization during the transition period. This ensures continuous patient care with zero downtime. Clinical staff can continue working in Epic while we migrate data to Cerner in the background.
How much does Epic to Cerner migration cost?
AI-powered Epic to Cerner migrations typically cost $500K-$2M compared to $1.5M-$6M for traditional methods, representing 65-70% cost savings. Costs vary based on data volume, number of facilities, integration complexity, and customization requirements.
Is Epic to Cerner migration HIPAA compliant?
Yes. Our migration process is fully HIPAA compliant with AES-256 encryption, role-based access controls, comprehensive audit trails, and Business Associate Agreement (BAA) coverage. We maintain compliance with HIPAA, HITECH, and meaningful use requirements throughout the migration.
What happens to historical patient data during migration?
All historical patient data is migrated from Epic to Cerner, including clinical notes, lab results, medications, diagnoses, procedures, and imaging references. We maintain complete patient history with proper date/time stamps and source attribution for regulatory compliance and continuity of care.
Ready to Migrate from Epic to Cerner?
Get a free migration assessment and see how we can help you migrate from Epic to Cerner in 8-12 weeks with zero patient care disruption.