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Posted August 22, 2007
Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare: News
New Survey Addresses Relationship of EMRs to Malpractice Risk
Boston, MA, August 7, 2007 — A recent joint survey by Medical Records Institute, Inc. of Boston MA and Professional Risk Associates, Inc. of Midlothian, VA, sought information regarding adoption of EMRs in physician practices and the impact of EMR usage on patient safety and malpractice risk. Respondents from 115 practices in 27 specialties representing 36 states completed the Internet-based survey conducted from March 21 to June 30, 2007.
Of the 62% of respondents with EMR systems, over two-thirds have stand-alone systems (not part of a regional or hospital system) and have had the systems for over a year. A physician was identified as the "Power User" by almost half of the practices with an EMR system, and nearly two-thirds indicated their providers fully use the system. Approximately a quarter of those who have EMR systems complained the system does not have the functions they need, and a similar percentage stated they did not receive adequate training.
Nearly twenty percent of respondents stated their malpractice insurer offers a discount for having an EMR System, and close to half (45%) believe EMRs will make them less vulnerable to malpractice cases. Among the almost one-fifth who have had a malpractice case in which documentation was based on the EMR, over half (55%) said the EMR was helpful.
"This is an important first survey on the current status of EMRs and their impact on malpractice risk," said C. Peter Waegemann, CEO, Medical Records Institute, "It shows the need to address EMR system usage, training, and legality."
"These survey results are a great tool for medical malpractice insurance carriers to begin researching the impact of EMR functions on malpractice claims", advised Bob Meadows, Executive VP, Professional Risk Associates. "We are excited to be in the forefront of this initiative and intend to continue working with our physicians and carriers to help reduce medical errors that lead to malpractice litigation and to encourage our carriers to develop discounting programs for physicians who properly use EMR technology.
Medical Records Institute's (MRI) mission is to promote and enhance the journey towards electronic medical records, e-health, mobile health, and related information technology applications. MRI does this by serving as an international forum for sharing knowledge, experience, and solutions with the healthcare community at large, especially with healthcare practitioners and professionals in health information technology and health information management. Survey details will be discussed at the National Conference on Information Capture, November 5-7, 2007 in Fort Lauderdale FL. For more information, visit http://www.medrecinst.com.
PRA is an independent insurance agency that focuses on professional liability for healthcare providers and is leading an initiative that seeks to improve the efficiency of medical practices and reduce medical errors that lead to malpractice litigation through the use of EMRs. PRA provides physician practices in-depth expertise, a selection of financially strong carriers, and superior service. http://www.profrisk.com.
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