Epic Integrates Northwell Health’s Firearm Injury Risk Screening Tool Into EHR Platform
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The tool, developed through Northwell Health’s National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded “We Ask Everyone” research study, was incorporated into Epic’s EHR system in May and is available to healthcare organizations that choose to adopt it.
Epic has integrated a firearm injury risk screening tool developed by Northwell Health into its electronic health record (EHR) platform, allowing healthcare organizations to identify patients at risk of firearm-related injuries and connect them with preventive services.
The tool, developed through Northwell Health’s National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded “We Ask Everyone” research study, was incorporated into Epic’s EHR system in May and is available to healthcare organizations that choose to adopt it.
The screening solution is designed to assess patients’ risk of firearm injury during clinical encounters. For patients identified as being at risk, healthcare providers can offer firearm safety resources, including gun locks, and refer them to hospital-based violence intervention programs. The tool also supports the collection of data on firearm-injured patients for research purposes.
According to Northwell Health, the integration is intended to fit within existing clinical workflows, particularly in emergency care settings where healthcare professionals frequently encounter patients affected by violence.
“When you are working on the frontlines, especially in the emergency department, the most effective interventions are those that integrate seamlessly into a clinician’s workflow and allow you to connect with patients in real time,” said Dr. John D’Angelo, president and CEO of Northwell Health, in a statement.
D’Angelo said the digital tool could help healthcare providers identify patients at risk of gun violence and connect them with support services during care encounters. He added that the initiative demonstrates how health systems can use patient interactions as opportunities for prevention.
The integration comes as healthcare organizations increasingly explore clinical interventions aimed at reducing firearm-related injuries and deaths.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hospitals and medical centers are often the primary point of care for individuals who have experienced firearm injuries. The agency has noted that screening tools and interventions implemented in healthcare settings may help prevent future violence and suicide among people at risk.
Epic has previously highlighted similar efforts among health systems. In 2025, Kaiser Permanente Washington incorporated firearm access screening into its suicide prevention programs, promoted discussions around firearm safety, and provided free gun locks to patients identified as needing support.
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