Implementing an electronic medical record decreased communication processes in the hospital, including nurse-to-physician communication and agreement on patient treatment plans, according to a study in BMJ Quality & Safety.
Researchers asked nurses, patients and physicians about communication habits with one another.
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Researchers found face-to-face communication between nurses and physicians decreased by 23.9 percent after the EMR was implemented. Total Agreement Scores, study-specific measures assessing the agreement of nurse, physician and patient individual statements on communication, were lower after EMR implementation.
Additionally, fewer patients were able to accurately predict their estimated length of stay (26 percent post-EMR vs. 34 percent pre-EMR), indicating a disconnect between nurses, patients and physicians on chart reviews determining LOS and treatment plans.
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