Using electronic health records may have medico-legal implications

    Oct. 7, 2008
    Changing the standard of practice, unique documentation issues, and the impact of electronic discovery could be affected by EHR use.

    CHICAGO--Electronic health records offer the promise of improved quality of care, increased patient safety, reduced costs and increased efficiencies.

    But physicians are wary of the implementation expenses and changes in workflow and workload with EHRs.

    While these concerns are valid, the underlying focus should be on the medico-legal implications that may arise from using EHRs, according to an article in the October issue of the Journal of AHIMA.

    Using EHRs may have medico-legal implications, such as changing the standard of practice, unique documentation issues, and the impact of electronic discovery. Discussed in this article are ways health-care professionals can successfully address these issues through system selection, implementation, and day-to-day practice.

    It is important for physicians to familiarize themselves with the key concepts of the federal e-discovery rule to understand how EHRs and other electronically stored information may be used in litigation in the near future.

    Listed are several reasons how EHRs can offer physicians some protection from claims of malpractice including access to legible patient records, standardized documentation, and increased efficiency in the transfer of information.

    The article also lists six examples of how missing functionality, poor implementation or improper use of EHRs can expose physicians to liability.

    Read the complete article in the October issue of the Journal of AHIMA or online at Journal of AHIMA.

    For more information about the American Health Information Management Association, go to Journal of AHIMA.

    To read more about the American Health Information Management Association, go to Journal of AHIMA.

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