Epic integrates firearm injury risk screening tool from Northwell Health

By Crystal Simmons 03/06/2026 3 min read 44 views

Epic has added a new tool to its electronic health record system, designed to help doctors assess patients’ risk of firearm injuries. The feature, developed by Northwell Health, checks for signs that patients might be at risk of gun-related harm and connects them with support services. It also collects data on patients who have already been injured by firearms, which researchers can use to study trends and improve care.

The tool was created through a research project called “We Ask Everyone,” which Northwell Health launched with funding from the National Institutes of Health. It works by asking patients standard questions about their access to firearms and any history of injuries. If a patient is identified as being at risk, the system suggests providing gun locks or referring them to violence intervention programs. The goal is to address potential dangers before they lead to harm.

Dr. John D’Angelo, Northwell’s president and CEO, said the tool helps doctors act quickly in real time. “This isn’t just about collecting data,” he said in a statement. “It’s about turning every patient encounter into a chance to prevent violence.” The system is now part of Epic’s EHR, available to any organization that chooses to use it. It became available in May after months of development and testing.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hospitals are the main place where people seek treatment for firearm injuries. The agency has encouraged healthcare systems to use screening tools and interventions to reduce future violence and suicide. Epic’s new feature aligns with those efforts by making it easier for doctors to identify at-risk patients during routine visits.

Their work is not the first of its kind. Last year, Kaiser Permanente Washington integrated firearm access screening into its suicide prevention programs. That system encouraged open conversations about guns and provided free gun locks to patients. Epic’s tool builds on those earlier efforts by embedding the process directly into the electronic health record, reducing the need for separate follow-ups.

The tool’s integration into Epic’s system means doctors can use it during emergencies or regular checkups. It avoids adding extra steps to their workflow, which is critical in fast-paced settings like emergency rooms. The data collected could help researchers understand how firearm injuries happen and what interventions are most effective. However, some experts have raised questions about how the data will be used and who will have access to it.

Health systems that adopt the tool will need to decide how to handle the information it gathers. While the feature is designed to improve patient safety, privacy concerns remain. They and Epic have not provided detailed plans on how the data will be stored or shared. Critics argue that without clear guidelines, the tool could be misused or lead to unintended consequences for patients.

The CDC has long emphasized the role of healthcare providers in preventing firearm injuries. It notes that early identification of at-risk individuals can reduce the likelihood of future harm. Epic’s tool offers a way to expand that approach, but its success will depend on how widely it is adopted and how effectively it is implemented. For now, the feature remains an option for healthcare organizations that choose to use it.