Allowing patients to view and provide feedback on their electronic records can help improve the accuracy of record information, according to a study in Generating Evidence & Methods to improve patient outcomes.
In 2011, Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger Health System began accepting electronic patient feedback on the accuracy of medication lists found in the patients' EHR. Patient requests for changes or corrections are sent to a pharmacist for review, and then appropriate updates are made.
A team of researchers found the feedback system improved the overall accuracy of patient records. Of the 414 feedback forms submitted during the pilot period, 369 (89 percent) had a change to the medication list, most often dosage changes or the addition of a new prescription or over-the-counter medication. Of a subset of 107 forms, pharmacists approved 68 percent of changes.
The ability to provide feedback also increased patient engagement with the online portal — patients who completed a feedback form accessed the portal 2.3 times more often than the average patient, and sent messages to clinicians 1.35 times as often.
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