What is the function of a wildcard in Epic?

The function of a wildcard in Epic primarily revolves around enabling free text entry by the clinician. When using wildcards, clinicians can input variations of text without needing to specify exact matches. This is particularly useful in situations where there might be multiple ways to describe a symptom, condition, or other medical terms. For example, if a clinician types a few characters followed by a wildcard, the system can return a list of options that match that prefix, simplifying the data entry process and allowing for more flexibility in documentation.

In contrast, other options present different functionalities that do not align with the primary use of wildcards. Mandatory fields relate to ensuring that certain pieces of information must be filled in, which is unrelated to the concept of wildcards. Validating input usually involves checking data against specific criteria or formats, rather than allowing for variations in text entry. Automatic responses typically refer to system-generated messages or alerts that occur based on certain triggers, which also falls outside the scope of what wildcards accomplish.