Hospital Buyer

A study funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality examined the effects of electronic records systems on the quality of care in the outpatient setting and whether the technologic tool is associated with improved patient outcomes. The collaborative project was completed by a team from Harvard and Stanford medical schools. Their findings were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The team utilized data collected from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2003 and 2004, which is overseen by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. The survey gathers data from outpatient office visits. The researchers compared findings from practices with and without electronic health records on 17 quality indicators.

The authors noted few differences in the quality of care received by patients, theorectically making the electronic system irrelevant with respect to outcomes. In fact, physicians with EMRs performed worse on one of the measures- prescribing statins to patients with hypercholesteremia. On balance, the EMR-outfitted offices had improvements for two measures: tranquilizers for depressed patients and avoidance of routine urine analysis for a regular office visit.

The other 13 measures, however, were not significantly associated with changes in care patterns or improvements in patient outcomes. The overall findings, essentially, revealed that electronic records systems do not result in improvements to quality of care.

An important consideration in evaluating the findings published by the group is the age of the records systems that were evaluated. The technology has changed significantly, offering increased functionality. The team highlights these important changes with more advanced electronic records systems, particularly offering support to management of chronic diseases. The study findings are, appropriately, evaluated within the context of the systems evaluated at the time of the data collection.

Continuing research and ongoing development to electronic records systems must be examined to determine the optimal architecture and functionality to support goals such as improved care, compliance with evidence-based guidelines, and better patient outcomes.

Related outcomes:

• EMR Study Dispels Myths
• Guidelines for Electronic Record Acquisition
• Kaiser Survey Highlights Concerns about IT
• Hospitals Facilitate EMR Adoption

July 11, 2007 Related topics: General Management & Administration, New Technology & Innovation, Quality, Safety, Errors, Health issues