Variation in EPR clinical support systems: data, decisions and disparity

Abstract

In an evidence-based healthcare environment, the quality of electronic patient record (EPR) data maintained on clinical support systems becomes a critical factor in the decision making process, with a corresponding need for error management through automated data quality assurance practices. This paper reports on a study, the objective of which was to examine and compare adoption rates of EPR data reliability within clinical support systems, and associated regional variation across the US. Data were collected by mail and telephone surveys nationwide across the US. The participants in the surveys were all accredited US health information managers. The outcome measure was reported levels of automated data edit methodologies in electronic patient records. Findings suggest inconsistent adoption of automated data quality management in electronic patient records. This low overall adoption of automated edits was accompanied by significant variation across geographic regions and key organizational variables. The authors concluded that utilization of EPR data in evidence-based medical decision making must be undertaken with caution, especially when outcomes or other decision support data are compared across states or regions.