This post is a quick overview of an Abto Software blog article about Epic and Cerner hyperautomation.
Epic and Cerner systems sit at the core of most hospital operations — the digital backbone supporting clinical and administrative workflows. They hold the rules, the records, and, unfortunately, much of the friction that slows clinicians down every day.
So, can hyperautomation finally help untangle this complexity and give clinicians back their time?
What is hyperautomation in healthcare operations?
Hyperautomation expands on traditional automation by adding intelligence and orchestration. It’s not just about performing routine actions but coordinating technologies such as RPA, LCNC platforms, AI, ML, and workflow orchestration to execute full, end-to-end processes as one synchronized system.
Think of it as a conductor uniting different automation “instruments” into a single, efficient performance.
In healthcare, that means seamlessly connecting intake forms, scanned documents, EHR data, and analytics into a continuous workflow that removes repetitive tasks, spots errors early, and supports smarter decisions. The goal isn’t to replace the clinician — it’s to remove the digital noise so they can focus on care.
Hyperautomation in EHR systems
EHR systems are both the record keeper and the stage for clinical operations. They store every action, patient interaction, and compliance record — making them the natural foundation for automation initiatives.
Major EHR vendors like Epic and Cerner already include building blocks such as AI tools, clinical decision support (CDS) systems, and integration frameworks. Each piece can trigger, process, or receive automated outcomes.
But what happens when all these blocks are joined into one intelligent, hyperautomated flow?
Below is a snapshot comparing traditional and hyperautomated workflows:
| Manual process | Hyperautomated process |
|---|---|
| Patient registration – Front-desk staff manually enter data from paper or portal forms and call insurers for verification. Errors and mismatches lead to delays. | Automated form ingestion, patient matching, insurer queries, and error flagging enable faster check-ins, fewer mistakes, and complete audit trails. |
| Clinical documentation – Providers type or paste notes after appointments. It’s slow, inconsistent, and reduces throughput. | Clinicians receive summaries with pre-filled fields, suggested codes, and structured lists — reducing workload and improving accuracy. |
| Prior authorization – Staff fill forms, fax payers, and follow up manually. Long waits and lost requests are common. | Intelligent extraction, automated submission, and tracking drastically cut turnaround time and lost requests. |
| Claims management – Staff batch and submit claims manually, with denials requiring rework. | Automated validation, resubmission, and analytics minimize denials and speed reimbursements. |
Epic & Cerner systems: hyperautomation explored
Epic and Cerner are the heartbeat of hospitals, managing the majority of daily operations. Because of that, even a small improvement — like smoother charting or faster coding — can cascade across departments and dramatically boost efficiency.
Both systems already include automation-ready features: built-in AI tools, CDS systems, and advanced analytics. But true end-to-end automation requires combining these native capabilities with external technologies — RPA, Intelligent Document Processing (IDP), ML models, and orchestration layers.
Importantly, hyperautomation is a phased, carefully governed transformation, not a one-click upgrade.
Let’s look closer at the foundational elements.
Epic and Cerner systems’ building blocks: hyperautomation foundation
Epic automation – within and around clinical workflows
Epic integrates automation at multiple levels and supports external integrations:
-
Clinician-facing helpers: Reduce clicks and simplify wrap-up tasks
- Draft-note generation
- Note summarization
- Assisted charting
- Order suggestions
- Clinical decision support (CDS): Built-in rules to prevent human error and promote best practices
- Third-party integrations: Open APIs and a certified marketplace for automation apps
- Data sharing & interoperability: Secure mechanisms for exchanging information between systems
Cerner automation – same direction, unique strengths
Cerner (now Oracle Health) approaches automation with a strong data and population-health focus:
- Population health platform: A cloud-based layer for combining EHR and non-EHR data
- CDS and analytics: Modules surfacing care gaps, risk scores, and quality metrics
- Third-party integration: FHIR/SMART-on-FHIR support for data-exchange applications
- AI agents and voice tools: Newer Oracle Health EHR releases promise deeper AI-first experiences
The hyperautomation stack: key components
The orchestration layer – the conductor
The rules engine listens for events — API calls, schedules, or alerts — and coordinates tasks, enforcing sequence and retries.Data sources and triggers
CDS and FHIR/SMART endpoints provide patient context and generate the signals that trigger actions.Robotic process automation (RPA) – the adapter
RPA replicates user actions within interfaces, bridging gaps in systems without APIs. It’s a fast but temporary solution while deeper integrations evolve.Intelligent document processing (IDP) – the parser
IDP converts scanned forms, faxes, or referral letters into structured, machine-readable records, filling data gaps where automation can’t directly integrate.-
AI/ML & NLP algorithms
- AI/ML models: Provide predictions, note summaries, or risk assessments
- NLP models: Understand unstructured text and inform downstream decisions
The middleware
Middleware — message buses, translators, adapters — keeps systems synchronized and resilient through upgrades or customizations.
Hyperautomation roadmap: step-by-step rollout
- Pilot: Audit workflows and pick one high-value, low-risk process to start.
- Define metrics: Select 3–4 KPIs (time saved, cost reduction, error rates) and record baseline performance.
- Build minimal architecture: Create the orchestrator, CDS, APIs, and interfaces, documenting data flows and audit logs.
- Develop a minimal viable stack (MVS): Test the entire workflow end-to-end with minimal components.
- Silent validation: Run the system in the background to compare AI results with human outputs.
- Controlled testing: Let automation propose actions while staff review and confirm them.
- Final checks: Get sign-off from leads, compliance, and security before launch.
- Controlled production: Roll out with limited scope and monitor in real time.
How far along is hyperautomation in Epic & Cerner systems?
Pieces of hyperautomation are already active within both EHR ecosystems.
For example:
- Hyperscience’s “Hypercell” integrates with both systems to manage document processing, data extraction, claims handling, and onboarding.
- Stanford’s “DEPLOYR” enables AI/ML models to execute automatically when triggered by EHR events.
These represent partial automation, not yet full end-to-end hyperautomation — but they prove the groundwork is in motion.
Hyperautomation prospects: what’s next for Epic and Cerner
Complete hyperautomation won’t arrive overnight, but steady, modular progress will.
Expect the following developments in the coming years:
- Advanced orchestration platforms will become key differentiators, helping organizations scale automation beyond isolated pilots.
- Standardized data and interoperability will grow in importance to connect systems more seamlessly.
- Compliance baked into pipelines: Security and privacy will be integrated from the start rather than added later.
- Human-in-the-loop design will remain critical — trust, usability, and clear oversight will determine adoption success.
In short, hyperautomation in healthcare will arrive as a series of careful stitches, not an overnight transformation. Vendors will continue providing modular tools, while integrators will weave them into complete solutions.
How we can help
Epic and Cerner supply the instruments. Hyperautomation conducts the orchestra. The difference between a noisy rehearsal and a perfect performance lies in how well the pieces come together.
At Abto Software, we specialize in transforming scattered automation tools into cohesive, intelligent systems that deliver measurable outcomes.
Let’s turn today’s small automation wins into scalable hyperautomation frameworks that redefine clinical workflows.
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FAQ
Are there hyperautomation solutions designed for Epic and Cerner systems?
Yes. Some enterprise vendors build custom stacks specifically for these EHRs, tailored to unique local workflows. However, full hyperautomation deployments typically combine modular components — not a single, pre-packaged product.
Would using hyperautomation in Epic and Cerner be HIPAA-compliant?
HIPAA compliance depends on implementation and governance, not the technology itself. Secure hyperautomation requires encryption, strict access control, privacy safeguards, incident response planning, and adherence to all HIPAA-mandated standards. Without these, risks to data integrity and compliance rise sharply.
What are the main Cerner & Epic automation benefits?
- Improved data quality and consistency through structured field extraction and updates
- Reduced clerical workload by automating documentation, charting, and coding
- Shorter administrative turnaround times
- Accelerated revenue cycles through automated claims validation and submission
What are the key automation challenges?
- Data inconsistency that affects model accuracy
- Heavy EHR customizations requiring site-specific engineering
- Orchestration complexity that needs mature monitoring and exception handling
- Regulatory and audit demands adding operational overhead
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