05/06/2026 –, Pilot Langue: English
Introduction : This paper describes the development process, implementation steps, service structure, and outcomes of the library’s evidence request service embedded in the electronic health record (EHR).
Methods/Description: At the Eccles Health Sciences Library, clinical librarians have embedded their Expert Evidence Consult Service (EECS) into the hospital's EPIC system using the existing messaging feature. Librarians worked with Epic analysts to develop an alert that generates an email notifying the team of a submission. Clinical librarians with EHR access (granted after EPIC training and permission from system administrators) can log in to view the message which includes clinical question, patient record number, and priority level. This EHR access permits the librarians to view the relevant patient record, enabling a patient-specific tailored response that includes a summary of the literature, attached articles, and/or links to collections of PubMed citations.
Results: The EECS debuted in EPIC in Fall of 2020. Statistics collected include how many questions answered, repeat users, and department. Various marketing pushes have been implemented to varying success. A feedback survey was first implemented in RedCap in the Fall of 2024. Questions ask about satisfaction of the material, timeliness, impact on practice, and the likelihood to use the EECS in the future.
Discussion: Feedback from the survey has been uniformly positive. Satisfaction with the timeliness, accuracy, and relevance of the librarian-provided evidence is also demonstrated by the existence of repeat users. Outreach strategies include invited presentations to c-suite meetings, classes, orientations and clinical faculty meetings, and a proposed marketing push with a polished service flyer.
Shawn Steidinger, MLS, AHIP, (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2765-9916), (she/her/hers) is an Associate Librarian for Clinical Services at the Eccles Health Sciences Library, University of Utah, US. In her current tenured position, she is a resource for EBM instruction and health literacy skill building, serving both faculty and students in the health sciences, as well as clinicians, staff and patients at University Hospital. Her research interests include how to improve health literacy among various populations. Her current research involves the study of methods of improving health literacy among adolescents and young adults.