An electronic health record (EHR) digitizes a patient’s paper chart. It collects the patient’s history of conditions, tests and treatments and can be used to create a more holistic view of the patient’s care. A medical EHR also improves upon paper by making the patient’s information available instantly and securely to an authorized user. But for all these advantages, EHRs can create ...
The EHR is a driver of burnout for doctors. Then comes time to switch to a new one. Early communication, training are musts for a smooth transition.
The AMA details a teamwork approach to EHR documentation that can give back doctors precious time for direct patient care.
Additional information “Break-the-glass,” or “break-glass” functionality requires an EHR user to enter additional authentication information and documentation of a specific business reason for accessing a patient record before they can open a patient’s chart that has been identified as one that should have heightened security.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) EHR Incentive Program—also known as Meaningful Use or MU—initially provided incentives to accelerate the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) to meet program requirements.
EHR design, customization or configuration can contribute to patient harm. Researchers also are quantifying the physician burdens of EHRs.
In an interview with the AMA, Dr. Mensch discusses the EHR initiative at Northwell Health, the role of informatics in health care and how emerging technologies—such as augmented intelligence (AI)—are helping to support efforts to improve patient care and physician well-being.
While physicians report shorter workweeks, AMA data show EHR and admin tasks still consume off-hours, signaling a need to ease the burden for doctors.