Clinical Information System Reduces Medical Errors

Yet another hospital has shown that the use of a clinical information system has produced notable improvements in patient safety and efficiency.

Following the implementation of electronic medical records (EMR) and computerized physician order entry system (CPOE), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (OH, USA) has reported 100% compliance with pain assessment documentation, a 35% reduction in medication errors, a 52% improvement in medication turnaround time, and a 55% reduction in verbal orders. A case study on this medical center was highlighted in EMR Advisor, a publication of U.S. National Health Information (Atlanta,GA, USA) designed to help guide organizations in the use of EMR and CPOE.

"It is no longer a question of whether a health care organization will invest in EMR and CPOE but when. And then, of course, it becomes a question of how and how well,” noted David Schwartz, publisher and president of U.S. National Health Information (Atlanta, GA, USA).

In another case study highlighted in EMR Advisor, a solo pediatric practice called Cooper Pediatrics (Duluth, GA, USA) used EMR and CPOE to simultaneously improve patient care, cut costs, and increase revenues. The practice now serves 12,431 patients, an increase of 255%.

A smoothly functioning EMR brings health care organizations major benefits in the form of fewer errors and lawsuits, lower costs, increased productivity, better quality, better data collection and analysis, more accurate coding, improved physician relations, and enhanced disease management, said Schwartz.




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Cincinnati Children's Hospital