Electronic health records (EHRs) can help keep patients safe. Or not. And the difference can depend on you and your practice.
For example, say all of a patient’s relevant medication information in your practice’s EHR is up to date. But one day that annoying drug-drug interaction pop-up box appears as you’re trying to write her a new prescription. Do you click “Ignore”? What’s your process? Does your practice have one? Or maybe you’re suffering from warning-box fatigue.
Or what if you didn’t update your software. EHR vendors include patches in the updates that correct or enhance the EHRs’ functionality. If you have not updated yours, you may have old settings that are “glitchy.” Or, the EHR could display incorrect information you use in your diagnosis or care plan.
These are not uncommon occurrences.
The good news is that the Texas Medical Association has a great two-part webinar series to help you think through the potential hazards.
Quality and Safety In an Era of EHRs, Part One and Part Two, will help you identify risks that lead to diagnostic errors, how EHRs can influence physicians' decisionmaking, and social-technical issues that contribute to common EHR quality and safety problems.
The better news is that, as with most of TMA’s CME courses, this webinar is free for TMA members, thanks to a generous sponsorship by TMA Insurance Trust.
If you need even more help with EHRs and other office technologies, contact TMA's Health Information Technology Department at (800) 880-5720 or hit[at]texmed[dot]org.
Last Updated On
September 20, 2018
Originally Published On
September 20, 2018