Nurse leaders struggle to measure quality outcomes required by the Joint Commission (TJC)
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and other regulatory agencies. The EHR provides the ability to access data and compare across institutions for benchmarking. Stefan76 suggested several quality metrics that nurse leaders should evaluate when implementing an EHR, including timely access and documentation of patient information, EBP alerts, effect on length of stay, discharge follow-up with patients, and accuracy of documentation for reimbursement and regulatory agencies.
Healthcare Providers In a recent study of EHR use in primary care practices, physicians and staff reported increased
efficiencies related to billing and care coordination, access to current and past medical records, storing of patient information, and overall office operations.77 Doyle et al.78 concurred with these findings and concluded that EHRs used in the healthcare provider’s examination room facilitate a partnership between physician and patient through collaboration of treatment plan options, and increase patient teaching by sharing of online medical information. In other studies, physicians also reported improvements in prescribing and medication safety when ePrescribing and decision support tools were available.79,80 EHRs that provide tools for comprehensive documentation, warnings for changes in patient status, medication alerts, and follow-up and preventive care reminders improve decision making, which can reduce liability for the physician.81 In addition, automated reporting capabilities enhance compliance to quality and regulatory requirements.82
Overall, healthcare providers reported favorable opinions about the EHR, citing many potential benefits related to clinical, organizational, and consumer outcomes.65 Clinical benefits are often seen through the reduction of medical and medication errors, better health and disease management, and enhanced quality of care. Financial needs of the physician practice are streamlined and more efficient with electronic access to payer information and reporting to facilitate compliance with regulatory requirements. Workflow, communication, and coordination of care activities improve when there is easier access to records and other resources. Consumers also benefit from EHR technology when there is collaborative interaction between patients and physicians, more timely access to personal health information, and online access to educational materials.70