4 Errors to Avoid With EHRs

Tags: billing | cloning | EHR | electronic health records | mistakes

Physicians working with electronic health records for the first time should take care to avoid common mistakes that occur, according to EHR Intelligence.

Here are four common mistakes to avoid.

1. Confusing patient records. When physicians look at identical screens for each patient, it can get confusing to keep them straight and entering information into the wrong patient's file can occur. Double check the name on the screen to avoid errors.

2. Ignoring alarms. A vast amount of alarms are included in EHRs to alert staff to patient allergies, medications and more. But studies show physicians often close these windows without reading them and missing important details. Read all the alerts to ensure patient safety isn't compromised.

3. Cloning. Cutting and pasting information, or cloning, may seem like a time saver, but it should be avoided at all costs. Cloning is a red flag for auditors looking for potential fraud, and it can perpetuate a single mistake over multiple visits if wrong information is copied.

4. Losing focus on patients. EHRs can be time consuming to master, but that doesn't mean physicians should spend more time focusing on the programs than on the patients. Be aware of how much time is spent making eye contact with patients versus looking at the computer screen. Do not let the laptop create a barrier to clinical service.

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