Evaluating the epic electronic medical record system: A dichotomy in perspectives and solution recommendations

Abstract

ObjectivesElectronic Medical Record (EMR) systems have become an integral part of patient care, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The objective of this paper is to propose a set of recommendations on how the Epic EMR system can be used to improve patient care. To this end, we present findings on the use of the Epic EMR system in the University of Virginia (UVa)׳s Health System. Target audienceHealthcare organizations implementing electronic medical record systems and health technology managers. MethodsFace-to-face interviews with 30 of UVa׳s hospital personnel and others in the Epic department at UVa. Results and conclusionsThree key areas are discussed to determine the feasibility of improvement including a decrease in medical errors and the resulting parallel improvement in patient safety, inter-disciplinary collaboration, and a decrease in the overall cost of healthcare. We identified many discrepancies between the Epic EMR system’s intended use, and the workaround system that clinicians have used to document patient care. In addition, we discuss a dichotomy in perspectives amongst the Health System and Technology Services department at UVa, and healthcare staff end users, with regard to the intended functionality and the usability of the Epic EMR system. In light of our findings, we provide a set of recommendations on how to decrease the gap between the intended and actual use of EMR systems, in general