Predictors of missing Electronic Medical Record (EMR) discharge summaries: A retrospective study on data from a large Canadian cohort

Abstract

Background: Healthcare systems worldwide have adopted the electronic medical record (EMR). EMRs are an efficient method of interprofessional communication, and can improve data availability for secondary research purposes. The discharge summary (DS) is a crucial document for both interprofessional communication, and coding of data for research purposes. We aimed to assess the completeness of our EMRs by assessing the presence of a DS in the EMR. Additionally, we evaluated the presence of predictors for a missing DS. Method: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 3,011 inpatient charts from 3 hospitals in Calgary, Alberta Canada. 893 charts were found to be missing an electronic DS. A 10% sample was drawn to assess for presence of a paper DS. A list of variables was compiled to assess for association between patient and hospital characteristics, patient comorbidities, and the absence of an electronic DS. A Chi-square test, Fisher’s test and logistic regression were conducted to assess for associations. Results: The univariate analyses showed that age, being a surgical patient, a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) of </1, as well as patients with myocardial infarctions, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, dementia, chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes, and renal disease were associated with a missing DS. The multivariate logistic regression showed that those that were middle aged, surgical patients, or with fewer comorbidities were more likely to have a missing DS. Within the 10% sample, approximately 50% of all patients were from a surgical department, all of which were missing both electronic and paper discharge summaries. Conclusion: Our study is the first to describe predictors associated with missing electronic discharge summaries. There is a modern day propensity for adoption of the EMR across healthcare systems worldwide. The EMR, especially the DS, is used for the improvement of interprofessional communication, patient outcomes, and data quality. Therefore, the implications of an incomplete EMR are widespread. Our findings will caution future researchers using EMR data about the potential for incomplete data, particularly for patients who are surgical, middle aged, and have fewer comorbidities. Additionally, our study highlights the need for further investigation into the lack of discharge summaries in surgical units.