A simple conversation lasting just seconds could prevent a tragedy. That’s the premise behind Northwell Health’s patient firearm safety screening tool, which was integrated into the May 2026 version of Epic’s electronic health record (EHR) system and made available to health care organizations nationwide. For Epic organizations who choose to adopt this simple, immediate intervention tool, the release will make it easier to implement prevention strategies while establishing consistent data collection to drive research and future approaches.
The Epic EHR is used by thousands of hospitals and health systems to document medical histories, order tests, prescribe medications, and coordinate treatment for more than 325 million patients. The integration of Northwell’s screening tool into Epic provides a ready-to-use solution that health systems can choose to immediately implement while simultaneously advancing gun violence research through standardized data collection.
“Gun violence is a public health issue, and this integration is a critical step forward in addressing it as one,” said Chethan Sathya, MD, director of Northwell’s Center for Gun Violence Prevention and pediatric trauma surgeon. “By making our screening tool available to Epic health systems nationwide, we’re enabling health systems across the country to have meaningful conversations with patients about firearm safety and connect them with life-saving resources.”
Since 2020, Northwell has screened more than 100,000 emergency room patients, including pediatric cases, across its 28-hospital provider network. The health system’s proven approach was developed through its National Institutes of Health-funded “We Ask Everyone” research study. The screening tool, which combines assessment of both firearm access and violence risk, enables clinicians to:
- Screen patients for firearm injury risk using Northwell’s research-backed questions;
- Refer patients who screen positive to Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP) services;
- Provide gun locks for patients with identified risks;
- Capture standardized data on firearm-injured patients to support research and prevention efforts.
In addition, consistent usage of the tool will standardize data collection, helping researchers drive future prevention strategies and identify intervention opportunities across populations. The goal is to make firearm safety screening as routine and actionable as other health risk assessments, like alcohol use or mental health screenings, already embedded in the EHR.
“As a family medicine physician, I screen for depression, substance use, and dozens of other risk factors as part of routine care. Firearm access is no different,” Jackie Gerhart, MD, chief medical officer of Epic, said. “And by asking the same questions and recording the answers consistently, we can finally start to see the big picture.”
To support the rollout, Epic has published a white paper available to all Epic health systems that highlights Northwell’s screening methodology and provides guidance on implementing firearm injury prevention programs using the Epic EHR.
“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 John D’Angelo, MD, president and CEO of Northwell Health. “Thanks to the dedicated work from Northwell’s Center for Gun Violence Prevention and Epic, this digital tool will open the potential to identify patients at risk of gun violence and get them the support they need in the moment. This isn’t just about collecting data -it’s an example of how all health systems can collaborate to turn every patient encounter into a potential prevention moment. Northwell is proud to be helping lead this important work across the country.”
Northwell has led the charge to address gun violence as a public health crisis since 2019 and formed its Center for Gun Violence Prevention in 2020. The Center takes a multi-faceted approach that includes providing clinical care and support services to those impacted by gun violence, conducting research on firearm injury prevention and screening emergency room patients about their risk factors and home firearm safety.
In 2022, Northwell expanded its impact by creating the National Health Care CEO Council on Gun Violence Prevention & Safety, which now convenes 60 leaders from some of the nation’s largest health systems and hospitals to develop best practices, mobilize the health care sector to depolarize gun safety discussions, and dramatically reduce gun violence so it is no longer a significant driver of hospital admissions and deaths.
This past March at Northwell’s 7th annual Gun Violence Prevention Forum, the health system unveiled a first-of-its-kind digital toolkit, supported by the Joyce Foundation, which enables other health systems to implement violence prevention programs, community outreach initiatives and evidence-based strategies to reduce firearm injury and death.
