How to Print Demographics in Epic

This guide explains how to print a patient demographics page or an equivalent patient-information report in Epic. Epic is configured differently by organization, so a menu label, print button, or available report may not match the examples below. Use only approved workflows, and print only information you are authorized to access.

What You’ll Need

Access to your organization’s Epic environment and permission to view the patient record.
The correct patient identifier, such as the patient’s name and medical record number, to confirm you have the right chart.
Access to an approved printer or secure printing workflow, if your organization requires one.
A work-related reason to print the information and a way to handle the page securely after printing.

Step-by-Step

Sign in to Epic. Open Epic through your organization’s approved workstation or remote-access method. Complete any required sign-in or verification steps. Do not use another person’s account or leave an unlocked session unattended.
Find the patient. Use the patient search or the appropriate work queue to locate the record. Search with the identifier your organization recommends. Before opening or printing anything, compare at least the identifying details shown in the chart, such as name and medical record number, against the information you were given.
Open the chart and demographics view. Select the patient’s chart, then look for a section or activity named something like “Demographics,” “Patient Information,” or “Patient Summary.” Exact labels and navigation paths may differ slightly by Epic version and local configuration. If you cannot find the view, use your organization’s training materials or ask your Epic support team rather than guessing.
Check the information and purpose. Confirm that the chart belongs to the intended patient and that the displayed details are the ones needed for the task. Demographics may include identifying or contact information. Avoid printing unrelated chart content, and do not change information just to make it fit a printout.
Choose the approved print action. Look for a print icon or a print option in the current activity’s menu. Some organizations provide a specific report, patient-information sheet, or document workflow instead of direct printing from the screen. Use that approved option. Menu names and locations may differ slightly by version; do not assume that a browser’s Print command is appropriate for every Epic screen.
Select the destination and review the preview. Choose the authorized printer or secure print queue available to you. If a preview is offered, check that it contains only the necessary pages and information, is readable, and is not clipped. Avoid sending patient information to a personal printer, an unapproved shared device, or a printer in an uncontrolled area.
Print and secure the page. Submit the job, collect the pages promptly, and verify that the output is complete and legible. Keep the document out of public view and follow your organization’s rules for storage, delivery, and disposal. If the printout is not needed, use the designated confidential disposal process.

Common Mistakes

Printing from the wrong chart: A similar name is not enough to confirm identity. Check the organization-approved identifiers before sending a job to the printer.
Printing the whole screen or chart: A general print command may capture extra content, navigation, or information that is not needed. Prefer the designated demographics report or print action when one is available.
Using an unapproved printer: A nearby device may not be an authorized destination for patient information. Confirm the printer or secure queue before printing.
Assuming every Epic screen is the same: Workflows are configured locally and may vary by role, department, and software version. Do not rely on instructions for a different organization as an exact menu map.
Leaving pages at the printer: Collect printed pages promptly and make sure no extra copy or test page is left behind.

Tips

Ask your supervisor or Epic support team which demographics document is approved for your specific task.
Use the minimum necessary information for the work purpose. A demographics printout can contain sensitive identifying details.
Check printer selection before every job, especially if your workstation remembers a previous destination.
If you need a copy for a patient or another department, follow the organization’s release and delivery workflow rather than handing over a page without checking authorization.
For repeated work, use current local training materials. Screenshots or instructions from another facility may not match your Epic setup.

Troubleshooting

You cannot find demographics: Check the chart’s available activities or patient-summary area. If the section is absent, your role may not have access, or your organization may use a different name. Contact the designated Epic support team or supervisor.
The print option is missing or disabled: The screen may not support direct printing, or your permissions may not allow it. Look for an approved report or document workflow. Do not work around restrictions by copying information into an unapproved application.
Nothing prints: Check whether the job is waiting in the correct secure queue, whether the selected printer is available, and whether the workstation shows an error. Follow local printer support instructions; do not repeatedly submit the same job before checking for queued copies.
The page is blank, cut off, or hard to read: Reopen the approved print preview if available and check page layout or destination settings that your workflow permits. If the output remains incorrect, stop and ask support for the correct report or printer setup.
You printed the wrong patient’s information: Secure the pages immediately and follow your organization’s privacy incident and document-disposal procedures. Notify the appropriate supervisor or privacy contact promptly; do not leave the printout at the printer or place it in ordinary recycling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print demographics from any Epic screen?

Not necessarily. Some screens have a purpose-built print action, while others may not produce a useful or approved printout. Use your organization’s designated report or workflow.

Why do my Epic menus look different from these instructions?

Organizations configure Epic for their workflows, and screen names can also vary by role and version. The menu examples are general; follow local training or contact Epic support for exact navigation.

Can I use my browser’s Print command?

Only if your organization’s instructions approve it for that screen. A browser print may capture extra information or omit the intended report, so use the in-Epic option or approved document workflow when available.

What if I do not have permission to print?

Do not try to bypass the restriction. Ask your supervisor or the appropriate Epic administrator whether your role should have access or whether another authorized staff member must complete the request.

Is a printed demographics page safe to leave at a shared printer?

No. Collect it promptly, keep it secure, and follow local rules for handling and disposal. Use a secure print queue if your organization provides one.

Sources: Epic. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.