Information Technology Implementation And Adoption In Relation To Electronic Medical Records

Abstract

The use of information technology in health care fields is often touted as a way to lower the spiraling costs of health care while making it more accessible to both patient and physician. Faced with increasing government regulations and eroding profit margins, Blocker Medical ~ssociates' has made a bold decision to implement an electronic medical record and reengineer its office work processes. This case follows Blocker Medical Associates' journey through the first stage of a three-stage electronic medical record implementation model. Additionally, this case focuses on the physicians' interactions and resistance to the adoption of electronic medical records.

Business Benefits or Incentive Maximization? Impacts of the Medicare EHR Incentive Program at Acute Care Hospitals

“…In recent years, electronic health records (EHR), also known as electronic medical records (EMR), have been championed as a next-generation, technology-based solution for effectively addressing a variety of concerns with the public health system [Winston and Medlin 2011]. Touted benefits of EHR include seamless information availability and exchange, fewer medical errors, drug compliance, patient and physician satisfaction, lowered healthcare costs, as well as improved quality of clinical outcomes [Furukawa et al 2010;Hillestad et al 2005;Hochstadt and Keyt 2009;Kazley et al 2012;Song et al 2011].…”

The Impact of Electronic Medical Records Systems on Healthcare Subunit Performance: A Dynamic Capabilities Study

“…While there are other information technologies utilized in healthcare, EMR systems are getting the most attention. EMR systems, as we have stated, offer the promise of improved healthcare quality, lower healthcare costs (Bardhan & Thouin, 2013;Cresswell, Worth, & Sheikh, 2011;Lapointe, Mignerat, & Vedel, 2011), increased patient safety, increased efficiency (Batley, Osman, Kazzi, & Musallam, 2011;Vishwanath, Singh, & Winkelstein, 2010;Winston & Medlin, 2011;Xiao et al, 2012;Xue et al, 2012), and a decrease in medical errors. EMR systems can intercept drug interactions, a significant cause of morbidity and mortality (Handel & Hackman, 2010).…”

“…Patients also have expectations for EMR systems. Patients believe EMR systems will improve the quality of the care they receive, and allow them to make better informed decisions about their own healthcare (Winston & Medlin, 2011). Management of knowledge assets is critical to improving hospital performance because healthcare organizations are knowledge intensive organizations (Gastaldi, Lettieri, Corso, & Masella, 2012).…”

“…Many healthcare organizations report reduced medication and order turnaround time, but clinician documentation time has increased, either because the interface is cumbersome or the EMR system requires more thorough documentation (Harle & Menachemi, 2012;Vishwanath et al, 2010;Winston & Medlin, 2011). Some physicians believe EMR and computerized physician order entry (CPOE) improves their personal performance (less chart chasing) and the quality of their performance (better access to accurate info), yet many feel just the opposite (too many clicks and screens to get the info needed).…”

“…In some cases, clinicians are skeptical that EMR systems will deliver on their purported benefits (Harle & Menachemi, 2012). Clinicians are also resistant to changes in their workflow necessitated by the introduction of an EMR system, and the (often greatly) increased documentation time required by such systems (Vishwanath et al, 2010;Winston & Medlin, 2011). Vishwanath et al, (2010), in a longitudinal study of EMR implementation at a cancer care center, report that attitudes towards the EMR system were made early by physicians and changed little over time, and that physician satisfaction with the EMR system was significantly lower than pre-EMR expectations.…”