Electronic document management systems: benefits and pitfalls

Abstract

Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) is a system that enables patients’ clinical paper notes to be scanned onto an electronic document allowing access by an authorised user on a hospital computer. EDMS was adopted by St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals in October 2008. It was the first hospital trust in the UK to shift from paper to online patient records. Over the years the benefits and pitfalls of the system have become more apparent and in this article the authors wish to discuss our experience and suggest some improvements.