Question

do statistics show an increase or decrease in malpratice since EHR implementation ? did you find any specific numbers ? based on your findings detail why there was an increase or decrease and how EHR implementation contributed to thies findings

Answer 1

Ans) EHR systems can transform the way healthcare is delivered when these technologies are designed, implemented, and used appropriately.

- Designed and used inappropriately, EHRs add a layer of complexity to the already complex delivery of healthcare, leading to unintended adverse consequences such as dosing errors, failure to detect serious illnesses, and delays in treatment due to poor human-computer interactions or loss of data.

- While much has been written about EHR-associated risks impacting information integrity, and the subsequent actual and potential impacts on quality of care and safety over at least the past decade, little has been done to systematically measure and analyze these risks, identify the root causes, and universally implement strategies (such as system design modifications and adoption of usability principles) to reduce risks. However, attention to the potential unintended consequences of electronic documentation is growing.

- In addition to the risks to the quality and safety of patient care, apprehension about EHR-associated errors may be a barrier to EHR adoption and use.

- Although many system developers and policy makers believe that the risks of EHRs are minor and easily manageable, that is not the case.140 Patient safety and quality of care are seriously compromised by flawed EHR system design or functionality or improper use.

- Failure to address information integrity issues in EHR systems will lead to spiraling, rather than declining, healthcare costs and medical errors as a result of the proliferation of new types of patient safety hazards.

- A combination of federal government oversight and industry action is necessary to avert unintended consequences from EHR use. Federal leadership, in the form of regulation and oversight (and legislation if appropriate), is needed to ensure the development, implementation, and enforcement of comprehensive national standards for the design, performance, and use of EHR systems that reduce serious EHR-related errors.

- However, federal oversight alone is insufficient to eliminate EHR-related adverse events. EHR system vendors should adopt design and usability standards that optimize system safety and information integrity.

- Healthcare providers should implement policies and procedures that address proper EHR training and use, in order to prevent errors related to system use (rather than system design) and identify errors in the EHR before patient care is affected.