Yale New Haven Health System is scheduled to launch the Epic Beaker laboratory information system at 9 pm Friday, July 29, at Yale New Haven, Bridgeport and Greenwich hospitals.

Currently the hospitals use three different lab information systems, MEDITECH at Greenwich Hospital, Cerner at Bridgeport Hospital and Soft at Yale New Haven Hospital. Beaker will consolidate the three systems into one. Beaker's advantages include:

• A more streamlined ordering process that makes it easier for clinicians to order "add-on" specimens 
• Rules and notifications to avoid duplicate tests 
• Technology for inpatient nurses to collect and document specimens at the bedside 
• Improved specimen tracking and streamlined results reporting 
• All clinical information in one system

In addition to Beaker, YNHHS will expand the SoftBank blood bank system from YNHH to Bridgeport and Greenwich hospitals concurrent with the Beaker launch so all hospitals are on the same systems.

On-site support will be available during the go-live period. Users should report any issues or problems by calling the ITS Service Desk, 203-688-4357.