Weill Cornell Medical College researchers found that even though electronic health records could effectively reduce the number of prescribing errors, physicians find it difficult to transition from older to newer versions of EHRs, according to a Weill Cornell news release.
Weill Cornell physician-scientists tracked the prescription errors of 19 physicians in an adult ambulatory clinic before the switch from an older to a newer system, then again 12 weeks after the switch and once again a year later. The new electronic system provided extra guidance for prescribing to improve safety, such as alerts notifying providers about use of inappropriate abbreviations that can result in patient harm.
Results showed the rate of prescription errors dropped two-thirds, from about 36 percent to about 12 percent one year later. They also found that the rate of improper abbreviations, such as the outmoded "QD" instead of "once daily," fell by three-quarters, from about 24 percent to about 6 percent one year later.
However, 40 percent of the doctors weren't satisfied with the implementation of the new system, and only one-third thought it was safer than the old one. Moreover, 60 percent reported that the alerts weren't useful, and two-thirds indicated that the new system slowed down drug orders and refills. To smooth the transition, the researchers suggest designing systems to address the most common mistakes as well as individualized instruction and close follow-up attention.
Read the news release about EHRs.
Related Articles on EHRs:
Key Compliance Considerations When Implementing EMRs
Study: EMRs Can Decrease Neonatal Mortality Rates
Study: No Clear Association Between EHRs and Ambulatory Quality
Weill Cornell physician-scientists tracked the prescription errors of 19 physicians in an adult ambulatory clinic before the switch from an older to a newer system, then again 12 weeks after the switch and once again a year later. The new electronic system provided extra guidance for prescribing to improve safety, such as alerts notifying providers about use of inappropriate abbreviations that can result in patient harm.
Results showed the rate of prescription errors dropped two-thirds, from about 36 percent to about 12 percent one year later. They also found that the rate of improper abbreviations, such as the outmoded "QD" instead of "once daily," fell by three-quarters, from about 24 percent to about 6 percent one year later.
However, 40 percent of the doctors weren't satisfied with the implementation of the new system, and only one-third thought it was safer than the old one. Moreover, 60 percent reported that the alerts weren't useful, and two-thirds indicated that the new system slowed down drug orders and refills. To smooth the transition, the researchers suggest designing systems to address the most common mistakes as well as individualized instruction and close follow-up attention.
Read the news release about EHRs.
Related Articles on EHRs:
Key Compliance Considerations When Implementing EMRs
Study: EMRs Can Decrease Neonatal Mortality Rates
Study: No Clear Association Between EHRs and Ambulatory Quality