title: EMR use in the ED: scant data connect EMRs with positive outcomes, but experts advise managers, providers to consider long-term benefits.
abstract: A Minnesota study looking into the impact of EMRs on the care of heart failure patients presenting to the ED found mixed results, with two of the sites studied showing small but statistically significant positive benefits, and one site showing little difference between the outcomes of patients who had EMR data vs. patients who presented for care with no EMR data. However, experts predict EMR functionality and usability will gradually improve, and they advise providers to take steps to ensure that EMRs don't interfere with patient-provider communications. In the study looking at the care of HF patients in the ED, data from two of the sites showed that patients with EMRs were less likely to die if hospitalized, they underwent fewer laboratory tests, and they were prescribed fewer medicines during their ED visit than HF patients without EMRs. In a third study site, patients with EMRs were associated with longer LOS in the ED. Experts acknowledge that when used inappropriately, EMRs can be distracting, and they can inhibit patient-provider communications. They advise ED providers and managers to take steps to ensure that EMRs enhance rather than diminish human interactions. The need for EDs to have effective health information exchange is underscored by a new Indiana study showing that people tend to seek emergency care at multiple sites over time.
mesh_terms: D057286:Electronic Health Records; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States