Patient safety should always be a top priority in health information management systems, alongside making systems intuitive and ensuring they provide relevant information for physician satisfaction.
Some EHR vendors’ products have been found to impact patient safety, workflows, and user satisfaction. One critical factor affecting patient safety is the medication list. An effective EHR system should provide a complete medication list whenever needed and should not automatically remove a medication from the list upon expiry. This helps physicians ensure they have all the necessary information before suggesting new medications for the patient.
Many EHRs automatically calculate medication duration, quantity, and the number of required refills upon prescription. However, in systems that are not patient-centric, medications may disappear from the list when the prescribed duration elapses. While this may be touted as a time-saving feature, it can have adverse effects on patient safety. Top EHR vendors prioritize patient safety by not removing medications from the list unless specifically instructed by physicians.
Consider a scenario where a patient with asthma has their condition well-controlled before the medication duration expires. In a patient-centric EHR, the medication remains on the list, allowing for refill requests even after the prescribed duration ends.
Physicians often struggle with poorly designed EHRs that do not prioritize patient safety. Integrated, intuitive systems built around patient safety provide physicians with the necessary options. These systems, developed through years of innovation and input from physicians, stand out among poorly-built EHRs.
Web-based EHRs built on a single platform offer significant benefits in reducing costs and improving patient safety. However, not all EHRs provide these features, and some may be considered a waste of time and money. Those that stand out are developed with extensive physician input and innovation.
User-informed designs, backed by years of experience and innovation, make a significant difference in the quality of healthcare technology solutions. Intuitive, reliable, and repetitive use of these products should be celebrated as the right solution for healthcare providers.