This New Emory Hospital Is 100% Powered By Apple Devices and Epic
Image: Apple
A 100-bed hospital just outside Atlanta may be small—but it’s now leading one of the biggest shifts in U.S. inpatient care.
Emory Hillandale Hospital, part of Emory Healthcare, has become the first hospital in the country fully powered by Apple devices—and tightly integrated with Epic—to rethink how technology supports patients and clinicians alike.
The spark? A conversation with Apple CEO Tim Cook.
“Why aren’t Apple products used in hospitals?” Emory’s leadership asked.
That question led to a unique partnership among Emory, Apple, and Epic to reimagine workflows, enhance clinical efficiency, and improve the patient experience—all in a real-world community hospital setting.
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Why This Matters for Nurses
While the shift to Apple hardware is eye-catching, the impact on frontline teams—especially nurses—is what’s turning heads.
Key changes that directly affect nursing care:
- iPhones with Epic’s Rover App
Nurses use their phones to check vitals, manage meds, and communicate in real time—no workstation needed. - iPads outside patient rooms
Magnetically attached iPads display real-time safety alerts like allergies and precautions, streamlining nurse-to-nurse handoffs. - In-room iPads for patients
Patients can view their care plans, send secure messages to the care team through the MyChart Bedside app, and even order meals, cutting down on basic calls to the nurse’s station. - Apple Watches for real-time alerts
Epic’s Limerick app sends critical lab results directly to clinicians' wrists. Nurses and doctors can stay connected and responsive, no matter where they are. - MacBook Airs, iMacs, and Mac Minis at nursing stations
Each unit now runs Epic on Mac, replacing legacy PCs. Clinicians experience faster login times and less eyestrain from high-resolution Retina displays.
More Than a Tech Upgrade: A Systemwide Culture Shift
“We’re not just changing technology, we’re changing a culture,”
— Dr. Ravi Thadhani, EVP for Health Affairs, Emory University
Emory’s tech transformation began at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, where early tests with Apple devices boosted nurse satisfaction and retention. That success set the stage for Hillandale’s full implementation.
The redesigned workflows emphasized mobility, real-time communication, and intuitive design—built around how nurses and patients actually interact with care.
“Mac lets nurses move through their day more swiftly,” said Edna Brisco, MSN, RN, CNO at Emory Hillandale. “It’s a game changer for how we provide care.”
Dr. Vikram Narayan, a urologic oncologist, found that integrating Apple tech with Epic and Abridge ambient documentation saves two hours a day compared to older systems—freeing up more time for direct patient care.
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A Turning Point: The 2024 Cyberattack
In July 2024, a CrowdStrike-related cyber event shut down over 20,000 devices across Emory. But Apple devices stayed online.
That reliability pushed the team to go all-in on Apple—piloting a fully Apple-integrated floor. The result?Â
Zero nurse turnover during the pilot period.
Designed With Nurses, For Nurses
From day one, Emory made sure that frontline staff were fully involved in the rollout. Nurses tested devices, evaluated usability, and helped shape the new standard of care delivery.
“You have to do it in a complex environment like the hospital,” said CEO Dr. Joon Lee. “It required tight collaboration.”
Security That Meets Healthcare’s High Stakes
With cyber threats growing in healthcare, Emory prioritized data protection.
Apple’s products come with privacy and security features by default—crucial for protecting personal health data and clinical operations. This was a major driver in the hospital’s decision to shift away from traditional PCs.
Looking Ahead: AI, Vision Pro, and Beyond
The Emory-Apple-Epic partnership isn’t done innovating.
The team is already exploring:
- AI-enabled cameras for fall prevention
- Virtual care tools via large screens
- Apple Vision Pro for surgical planning and training
“This is the future of healthcare,” said Dr. Rashida La Barrie, medical director of utilization review at Hillandale. “We should always be looking toward the horizon.”
One thing’s clear: The Emory-Apple-Epic collaboration is pushing the boundaries of what inpatient care can look like—and nurses are at the heart of it.
🤔Nurses, would you welcome an Apple-powered setup like Emory’s on your unit? Share your thoughts in the discussion forum below!
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