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Dec 11, 2024·MedPage Today

The transition from paper charts to electronic health records (EHR) has streamlined documentation for medical professionals but has also led to a focus on billing and compliance at the expense of capturing meaningful clinical details. Fred Pelzman, an associate professor at Weill Cornell, emphasizes the need for EHRs to provide an authentic representation of patient interactions, as highlighted by a New York Times investigation showing discrepancies in the documentation of methadone clinic counseling sessions. He critiques the excessive detail in progress notes that obscures true patient-provider interactions and advocates for more accurate, relevant documentation reflecting actual consultations.

Nov 21, 2024·Forbes

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are frequently criticized for causing challenges in healthcare, but this view simplifies the broader systemic issues. Clinicians spend substantial time—averaging nearly six hours for every eight hours of patient care—interacting with EHRs, leading to frustration and burnout. While EHRs can enhance productivity, their effectiveness is contingent on proper implementation and organizational culture, wrote Spencer Dorn, MD, vice chair and professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina. Moreover, the increasing complexity of patient care and the administrative demands of the U.S. healthcare system further complicate the challenges clinicians encounter.

Nov 12, 2024·JAMA Network Open

A study published in JAMA Network Open analyzed data from over 10,000 family physicians to assess the connection between team structure, electronic health record (EHR) experiences, and burnout from 2017 to 2023. The research found a sustained burnout prevalence, peaking at 42.8% in 2022, and identified that proper allocation of EHR time at home and high team efficiency correlated with reduced burnout odds. The study emphasized the need for improvements in EHR workflows and team dynamics to enhance physician well-being and specifically noted modifiable practice structure factors impacting team efficiency and EHR experiences.

Nov 3, 2024·Becker's Hospital Review

Altera Digital Health has launched Paragon Denali, a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) system designed to enhance accessibility and streamline hospital operations by integrating emergency and ambulatory care with financial management into a single database. Supported by Microsoft Azure, Paragon Denali offers scalability, allowing healthcare providers to adjust their systems to meet changing demands without the limitations of traditional hardware. Additionally, the cloud architecture reduces hardware and maintenance costs, making it a cost-effective solution for organizations aiming to optimize operations while delivering quality patient care.

Oct 30, 2024·CNBC

Oracle has launched a new electronic health record (EHR) system following its acquisition of Cerner, aiming to enhance clinician workflow through cloud technology and artificial intelligence. The system eliminates traditional interfaces in favor of voice command functionality, allowing doctors to swiftly access patient information and concentrate on care. Built from the ground up, the EHR requires existing Cerner users to consider transitioning to this updated platform, which features a user-friendly search bar and context-aware AI responses. Additionally, Oracle is improving features for current Cerner clients, such as the Clinical AI Agent, which automates documentation tasks for physicians.

Oct 23, 2024·Samsung News

Samsung has updated its Health app to enhance user access to health records, medication management, and food tracking. The improved platform consolidates health data, allowing users to manage their personal health in one place. A standout addition, the Health Records feature, enables users to access medical histories from major U.S. electronic medical record systems, supporting better communication with healthcare providers through insights and alerts. Additionally, the expanded Medications tracking feature allows users to scan pill bottles and monitor adherence via an intuitive dashboard, with rollout planned for South Korea and India through local partnerships.

Oct 14, 2024·Becker's Hospital Review

Beebe Healthcare is set to invest between $40 million and $50 million in the Epic electronic health record (EHR) system, with plans to go live in November 2025. CEO Dr. David Tam emphasizes the importance of this investment for enhancing care quality and accessibility in Sussex County, likening it to the construction of new hospital facilities. Rather than partnering with larger organizations, Beebe has opted to independently manage the EHR transition, which aims to consolidate seven existing EHR systems. While the upfront costs are high, Dr. Tam expects long-term savings by phasing out legacy systems, ultimately improving connectivity with local healthcare partners.

Oct 9, 2024·LinkedIn

A recent study examining the time spent by physicians using electronic health records (EHRs) found that doctors average 5.8 hours of EHR work for every 8 hours of patient care, with 42% of this time occurring outside clinic hours. The research, which analyzed data from over 200,000 physicians, identified documentation as the most time-consuming task and highlighted that primary care and cognitive specialists utilize EHRs more than procedural specialists. While the findings may elicit criticism of EHR systems, Spencer Dorn, a medical professor, underscores the importance of acknowledging other influences on physician workflow and advocates for recognizing the advantages EHRs offer, such as enhanced communication and improved access to patient information.

Oct 9, 2024·LinkedIn

Spencer Dorn, a Vice Chair and Professor of Medicine at UNC, examines the complex role of Epic in the healthcare technology sector, which serves a significant portion of U.S. hospitals. He references articles with divergent opinions, including Robert Kuttner's critique of Epic as a monopolistic entity focused on profit over patient care, and Katie Jennings' portrayal of founder Judy Faulkner as dedicated to independence and philanthropy. Dorn also highlights Brendan Keeler's argument that Epic's strategy of integrated systems contributes to its success, setting it apart from competitors despite some valid criticisms regarding market dominance. He notes that much of the clinician dissatisfaction with electronic health records often relates to organizational challenges rather than the technology itself.

Oct 8, 2024·Becker's Hospital Review

University Hospitals in Cleveland transitioned to a new EHR system, Epic, after determining that their previous systems, including Allscripts and Cerner, were unsustainable. The decision was made about five years ago, with a focus on avoiding market pressure-driven changes. To support the $400 million investment, CIO Robert Eardley and former CFO Michael Szubski presented a business case to the board that highlighted potential financial benefits of around $120 million and projected payback periods of 2.5 to 4.9 years. The planning phase began in early 2020, involving evaluations of the major EHR vendors and a detailed analysis encompassing 15 benefit categories.

Oct 8, 2024·American Medical Association

A recent AMA study reveals that office-based physicians spend over five hours on electronic health record (EHR) tasks for every eight hours spent with patients, highlighting a significant contributor to physician burnout. In response, the AMA has allocated nearly $250,000 in grants to five organizations to improve EHR workflows and enhance physician well-being and patient care. Since 2019, the AMA's EHR Use Research Grant Program has funded over $2.25 million to 28 organizations to explore EHR-related challenges. Notable 2024 grant recipients, including Stanford University and Yale University School of Medicine, will research various critical EHR issues, such as improving problem list accuracy in federally qualified health centers.

Oct 3, 2024·KevinMD.com

A family physician expresses frustration with electronic health records (EHRs), arguing that they hinder rather than help healthcare delivery. She shares her experience of extensive unpaid training for EHR implementation, which she deems unnecessary, and highlights the systems' focus on profitability over supporting physicians. The cumbersome documentation process complicates patient care discussions and results in lengthy, unclear notes, detracting from the quality of care. Additionally, patients feel confused and neglected as providers prioritize data entry over direct interaction, leading to a fragmented healthcare experience.

Oct 2, 2024·HealthSystemCIO.com

Eric Jimenez, CIO of Artesia General Hospital, outlines the distinct challenges and initiatives within this rural healthcare setting in southeastern New Mexico. The hospital has transitioned to a standardized electronic medical record system and established a new on-premise data center to improve operational efficiency and mitigate physician burnout. A key component of his strategy includes the integration of artificial intelligence, particularly through tools like Microsoft Dax Copilot, to enhance clinical workflows and assess impacts on workload through pilot programs. He emphasizes leadership support's role in fostering technological adoption, with a focus on the triple aim of healthcare: improving patient care, enhancing population health, and reducing costs.

Sep 20, 2024·Becker's Hospital Review

As the trend toward custom applications within the Epic EHR system grows, health systems are focusing on tailored solutions to meet specific operational needs and enhance patient care. Utilizing Epic's App Orchard platform, healthcare organizations are developing bespoke applications to improve data integration, patient engagement, and workflows, as standard EHR functionalities often fall short. Successful implementations have already streamlined processes such as referrals, telehealth, and medication management, showcasing the effectiveness of customized solutions in addressing unique challenges within the healthcare system while positioning organizations to adapt to future demands.

Sep 15, 2024·Becker's Hospital Review

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is addressing the issue of "pajama time," a term referring to off-the-clock work that physicians perform, often related to electronic health records (EHRs). The institution is implementing strategies to reduce this extra workload for doctors, aiming to improve work-life balance and job satisfaction. Initiatives include streamlining EHR processes and providing support to ease the administrative burden, with the goal of allowing physicians to focus more on patient care rather than clerical tasks.

Sep 13, 2024·Becker's Hospital Review

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is addressing the issue of "pajama time," a term referring to off-the-clock work that physicians perform, often related to electronic health records (EHRs). The institution is implementing strategies to reduce this extra workload for doctors, aiming to improve work-life balance and job satisfaction. Initiatives include streamlining EHR processes and providing support to ease the administrative burden, with the goal of allowing physicians to focus more on patient care rather than clerical tasks.

Sep 12, 2024·Becker's Hospital Review

Larry Ellison outlines the distinctions between Oracle Health and Epic in the electronic health record (EHR) market. He emphasizes Oracle's focus on cloud-based systems and advanced data analytics, arguing that these features enhance interoperability and accessibility of health data. Ellison also asserts that Oracle Health prioritizes patient privacy and security, positioning it as a strong alternative to Epic's established platform in the increasingly competitive healthcare technology landscape.

Sep 9, 2024·Becker's Hospital Review

The article examines concerns surrounding Epic Systems, a dominant player in the electronic health record (EHR) market. Critics argue that Epic's growing size and influence may stifle competition and innovation in the healthcare technology sector. The discussion includes perspectives from industry experts on the implications this might have for interoperability and the overall advancement of EHR systems, while highlighting the potential risks of having a single vendor control a significant portion of the market.

Sep 9, 2024·Isthmus

Epic Systems, a prominent health technology company, continues to maintain its dominance in the electronic health record (EHR) marketplace. The article details how Epic's comprehensive suite of tools caters to large healthcare systems, facilitating improved patient care and operational efficiency. Despite facing competition from other EHR vendors, Epic's established presence and ongoing partnerships with major hospitals suggest it will remain a key player in the industry.

Sep 2, 2024·Becker's Hospital Review

Salem Township Hospital in Illinois will transition from its current athenahealth EHR system to an Epic EHR in three weeks, as reported by *Southern Illinois Now*. The hospital, a 25-bed critical access facility, is making the change to enhance patient access to medical records. CEO James Timpe announced this plan to the hospital board, highlighting efforts to promote the new system, including distributing informational flyers at an upcoming parade.