Posted: January 16th, 2024

Evaluating the Use of Electronic Charting Systems versus Paper Charts

Evaluating the Use of Electronic Charting Systems versus Paper Charts
Electronic charting systems (ECS) are computer-based tools that allow health care providers to access, document, and share patient information in a digital format. Paper charts, on the other hand, are the traditional method of recording and storing medical data on paper forms. Both ECS and paper charts have advantages and disadvantages for health care delivery, quality, and safety. This paper aims to evaluate the use of ECS versus paper charts in various aspects, such as efficiency, accuracy, accessibility, security, and cost.

Efficiency: ECS can improve the efficiency of health care processes by reducing the time and effort required to create, update, and retrieve patient records. ECS can also facilitate communication and coordination among different health care providers and departments, as well as with patients and their families. Paper charts, however, can be cumbersome and prone to errors, such as illegible handwriting, missing or misplaced pages, and duplication of information. Paper charts can also cause delays and inefficiencies in patient care, such as waiting for chart availability, transferring charts between locations, and searching for relevant data.

Accuracy: ECS can enhance the accuracy of patient data by providing standardized templates, prompts, and alerts that guide health care providers in documenting and verifying information. ECS can also reduce the risk of errors and inconsistencies by enabling automatic data entry, validation, and integration from various sources, such as laboratory tests, imaging studies, and medication orders. Paper charts, on the other hand, can introduce errors and discrepancies due to human factors, such as memory lapses, transcription mistakes, and interpretation errors. Paper charts can also lack completeness and clarity of information, which can affect the quality and safety of patient care.

Accessibility: ECS can improve the accessibility of patient data by allowing health care providers to access and share information anytime and anywhere through secure networks and devices. ECS can also enable patients and their families to access their own records and participate in their care through online portals and applications. Paper charts, however, can limit the accessibility of patient data by requiring physical presence and availability of charts. Paper charts can also pose challenges for sharing information across different settings and providers, as well as for involving patients and their families in their care.

Security: ECS can enhance the security of patient data by implementing encryption, authentication, and authorization mechanisms that protect information from unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. ECS can also provide audit trails and backups that track and recover information in case of loss or damage. Paper charts, on the other hand, can compromise the security of patient data by exposing information to theft, loss, or destruction. Paper charts can also lack accountability and traceability of information access and use.

Cost: ECS can reduce the cost of health care by saving resources and improving outcomes. ECS can save resources by eliminating the need for paper, printing, storage, and transportation of charts. ECS can also improve outcomes by preventing errors, complications, and adverse events that result from poor quality or unsafe care. Paper charts, however, can increase the cost of health care by consuming resources and compromising outcomes. Paper charts can consume resources by requiring paper, printing, storage, and transportation of charts. Paper charts can also compromise outcomes by causing errors, complications, and adverse events that result from poor quality or unsafe care.

Conclusion: Based on the evaluation of various aspects of ECS versus paper charts, it can be concluded that ECS have more benefits than paper charts for health care delivery, quality, and safety. Therefore, it is recommended that health care organizations adopt ECS as the preferred method of managing patient information.

References:

– Alotaibi YK & Federico F (2017) The impact of health information technology on patient safety. Saudi Medical Journal 38(12): 1173-1180.
– Asan O & Montague E (2014) Using electronic health records to support patient-centered care: A qualitative study with focus groups of clinicians. International Journal of Medical Informatics 83(12): 983-991.
– Cresswell KM & Sheikh A (2013) Organizational issues in the implementation and adoption of health information technology innovations: An interpretative review. International Journal of Medical Informatics 82(5): e73-e86.
– Hillestad R et al. (2005) Can electronic medical record systems transform health care? Potential health benefits,
savings,
and costs. Health Affairs 24(5): 1103-1117.
– Kossman SP & Scheidenhelm SL (2008) Nurses’ perceptions of the impact of electronic health records on work
and patient outcomes. CIN: Computers,
Informatics,
Nursing 26(2): 69-77.
– Menachemi N & Collum TH (2011) Benefits
and drawbacks
of electronic health record systems. Risk Management
and Healthcare Policy 4: 47-55.