The New England Journal of Medicine published a study on Wednesday, August 31, 2011, which shows what can be achieved if doctors use electronic medical record (EHR) technology, rather than paper documents.
In an EHR study, 27,000 adult diabetics were surveyed, who were observed by 500 primary care physicians in 46 cases in the Cleveland area. The study showed that the practice of using EHR "annual improvements in health care, which were ten percent higher than that of their colleagues working on paper", and their patients "were significantly more prone to medical care and job openings that meet accepted standards those in which doctors rely on paper documents. ”
The study indicates that only seven percent of patients receiving assistance in paper-based medical records comply with all approved standards, and approximately 50 percent of patients in an EHR practice received care that meets all standards. The study clearly indicates the gap in the quality of medical care between patients who are caring for an EHR practice and those who still use paper medical records. More importantly, it was found that all standards of care were better and accepted faster among patients who were treated in practice using EHR.
Evidence from this study confirms that consistent processes produce consistent results, and the effective use of EHR technology plays an important role in adhering to standards.
While only patients with diabetes were in the focus of the study, one has to wonder if the results were different for different types of patients?
There are many factors that contribute to improving patient outcomes, and most of them really fall under the responsibility of the patient. Patients going through all the orders of doctors are absolutely critical, regardless of the type of patient. Things like diet, exercise, routine visits to the doctor, strict adherence to a regiment of prescription drugs, etc. — all these are examples when the patient unreasonably leads to an outcome.
If patient behavior influences results, then what is the role of EHR in influencing patient behavior in this study?
In conclusion, the study showed that the effective use of EHR technology helps physicians recognize when standards are not met. When this information is revealed, it serves as a catalyst for the physician to determine how best to engage the patient. For example, EHR tools, such as tips, physician reviews and registries, help patients comply with prescribed regimens and allow physicians to adjust treatment if necessary. Physicians who have direct access to this data are better equipped to meet the standards more consistently. The NEHM EHR study confirmed how EHR technology creates a practice environment for creating and maintaining healthy and consistent procedures that improve overall patient care.
