Research displays that malpractice claims in one state dramatically dropped after physicians began using electronic medical records. However, a direct connection to lower claims remains unclear. The Harvard Medical School research, however, offers more evidence that electronic health records “improve quality and safety…and reduce the risk of malpractice claims.”
A reduction in medical errors in Pennsylvania may follow as the health care profession converts paper patient files to digital data. Physicians can track patients using computers instead of relying on traditional paper files. E-record conversions have many supporters who claim they lower medical errors of all types including medication errors by allowing physicians to identify potential problems easier and faster.
Problems, such as medication conflicts, allergies and other patient issues, are highlighted permitting doctors to better communicate with patients and other medical personnel. Unfortunately, the medical community has been slow to convert, apparently because of the cost in money and time. Also, some doctors remain skeptical of e-records, believing that new types of medical errors may appear.
This study, however, focused on malpractice claims for 275 doctors, previously surveyed in 2005 and 2007. Researchers estimate that, after e-records are installed, medical malpractice claims should dropby around 84 percent in Massachusetts. Since this study focused only on Massachusetts physicians affiliated with Harvard Medical School, researchers are careful not to apply these results to the rest of the U.S.
However, a professor of law and health sciences at the University of Pennsylvania Law School stated that this study makes perfect sense and “alleviates concerns that the use of electronic health records could lead to increased medical malpractice risk.” The professor noted that some opponents of e-records contended that the clarity of computer patient files would make it “easier to find errors,” leading to more malpractice claims. “This research suggests that . . .adopting electronic health records reduces that risk,” he concluded.
How do you view the conversion of your patient files from paper to electronic records? Do you feel more secure that physicians will get a clearer picture of your health issues, leading to safer, more effective treatment?
Source: U.S. News & World Report, “E-Records Linked to Fewer Malpractice Claims,” Randy Dotinga, June 25, 2012