title: Implementing electronic health records in the emergency department.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The increasing presence of electronic health records (EHRs) in health care presents interesting and unique challenges in the Emergency Department (ED) setting. Unfortunately, scant literature exists addressing the implementation of EHRs in this setting.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors, both involved in the implementation of such systems at their respective institutions, review the challenges and benefits that exist with such implementation, and the steps that EDs can take to facilitate this process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unlike ambulatory and inpatient settings, where patient volume can be adjusted to help with this transition, EDs are unable to alter their volume and must maximize their efficiency during this process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding and anticipating the EHR's impact on workflow is critical to successful implementation.
authors.affiliation: Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Handel
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hackman
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D057286:Electronic Health Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D013997:Time Factors