Interdisciplinary collaboration and the electronic medical record.
OBJECTIVE
To examine interdisciplinary collaboration via electronic medical records (EMRs) with a focus on physicians' perception of nursing documentation.


METHODS
Quality improvement project using a survey instrument.


METHODS
Tertiary care pediatric hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-seven physicians.


METHODS
Physicians perceptions of nursing documentation after EMR implementation


RESULTS
Physicians desire nursing documentation with greater clarity and additional information. Physicians indicate checklists alone for patient assessment and intervention data are insufficient for effective nurse/physician collaboration. Narrative nursing summaries are invaluable references that guide medical treatment decisions. Physicians see detailed assessments and well-described interventions of nurses' as critical to their ability to effectively practice medicine.


CONCLUSIONS
Health care technology is called to develop EMRs that enable nurses to document detailed patient data in a swift and straightforward manner. Joint collaboration between nurses, physicians, and technology specialists is recommended to develop effective EMR systems.
Green
Shayla D
SD
Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
Thomas
Joan D
JD
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003142:Communication; D003200:Computer User Training; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D033262:Narration; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009737:Nursing Records / Q000592:standards; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D015144:Southeastern United States; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration