Can Use of Medical Scribes Bring Efficiency in a Busy GI Lab?

Abstract

Introduction: Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Systems markedly improve the quality and productivity of clinicians in the Healthcare system, however the use of EMR can be burdensome and decrease the physician engagement to the patient. In recent years use of medical scribes has been studied in the hospital setting and has been shown to improve physician satisfaction and increase revenues and productivity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if use of a medical scribe in a GI lab can increase productivity and time-related efficiencies. Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted on all the upper GI endoscopies and colonoscopies done in the last 12 months in a tertiary care hospital. Pre-operative (Preop), time in room, procedure time and recovery time was calculated on each procedure. These times were then compared between the providers who worked with a scribe and those who did not. Results: 866 procedures were done by the providers without using a medical scribe and 278 were done with the use of medical scribe. Mean preop time for procedures with a scribe was 40.94 min compared to 45.60 min without the use of scribe. Similarly, differences were seen in time in room (25.20 min vs 33.46 min, P=0.06) and procedure time (10.99 min vs 22.07 min, P=0.05) among the two groups showing the use of a medical scribe is time-efficient. The recovery time of patients was greater in procedures in which a medical scribe was utilized, but the results were not statistically significant. Secondly, the medical scribe has no impact on recovery time.Table: Table. Mean times in each interval for patients without a scribe and those with a scribeConclusion: Studies in the past discussed the use of medical scribes in emergency settings, clinic settings, and cardiology and urology clinics. As per literature review, this is the first study done on the utilization of medical scribes in the GI lab. Given increasing workload of both screening and emergent procedures on gastroenterologists, the use of medical scribes can increase physician satisfaction, productivity and most importantly can increase hospital revenue by having more procedures done in same duration of time.