Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Overview

Summary

Dr. Eric Bricker's 'A Healthcare Z' discusses the paradox of electronic medical records (EMRs) and the reliance on fax machines. Despite 80-90% of hospitals and practices using EMRs, with a slight improvement in mortality rates, interoperability issues persist, leading to the continued use of outdated technology. The EMR market is dominated by Cerner and Epic, with numerous other systems causing communication challenges. Bricker highlights that physicians spend 62% of their time on EMRs, contributing to burnout and detracting from patient interaction, emphasizing the need for understanding EMRs in healthcare.

Takeaways

• 📈 Adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs) has significantly increased over the past 10-11 years, with 80-90% of hospitals and physician practices now using them.
• 🔍 A study indicates a slight improvement in patient outcomes with a 0.09 decrease in mortality for hospitals using EMRs compared to those that do not.
• 📉 Initially, EMRs were associated with an 11% increase in mortality as healthcare professionals struggled with the new technology and software.
• 🏢 The EMR market is dominated by two major companies, Cerner and Epic, with the latter being a private company and less known in business news.
• 🤝 However, the remaining 49% of the market is shared among numerous other EMR companies, indicating a competitive landscape.
• 🔄 Interoperability between different EMR systems is a significant issue, often requiring printed and faxed reports to communicate between systems.
• 🏥 Even within a single hospital system, an average of 16 different EMRs are used, creating communication challenges between outpatient and inpatient settings.
• 🕒 Physicians now spend 62% of their time interacting with EMRs during office visits, which takes away from direct patient interaction.
• 😓 This increased screen time has led to a perception of reduced quality in patient care and contributes to physician burnout, with 71% of physicians feeling this way.
• 🤔 The reliance on fax machines in healthcare, despite being outdated technology, is a direct result of the interoperability issues between EMR systems.
• 👥 Understanding the impact of EMRs on both healthcare providers and patients is crucial for plan sponsors, employers, and patients alike.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Dr. Eric Bricker's discussion in the video?

The main topic of the discussion is electronic medical records (EMRs) and the challenges associated with their use in healthcare settings.

How prevalent is the use of electronic medical records in hospitals and physician practices today?

Approximately 80 to 90 percent of hospitals and physician practices use electronic medical records, indicating a significant increase in adoption over the past 10 to 11 years.

What was the initial impact of electronic medical records on patient mortality rates?

Initially, the introduction of electronic medical records led to an 11 percent increase in mortality rates, as healthcare professionals struggled to adapt to the new technology.

What is the current observed effect of electronic medical records on mortality rates?

A study found a 0.09 decrease in mortality for hospitals that used electronic medical records compared to those that did not, suggesting a slight improvement in patient outcomes.

Which two companies dominate the electronic medical record marketplace?

Cerner, based in Kansas City, and Epic, a private company based in Wisconsin, are the two dominant players in the electronic medical record marketplace.

What is the primary reason for the continued use of fax machines in healthcare?

The continued use of fax machines is due to the low interoperability between different electronic medical record systems, which makes it difficult for them to communicate and share data effectively.

How many different EMR systems does the average hospital system use across its affiliated facilities and offices?

On average, a hospital system uses 16 different EMR systems across its various outpatient facilities and doctors' offices.

What percentage of physicians' time during an office visit is spent interacting with the electronic medical record instead of the patient?

Physicians spend 62 percent of their time with the electronic medical record during an office visit, which reduces the time spent directly interacting with the patient.

What is the reported impact of electronic medical records on physician burnout?

A significant 71 percent of physicians believe that electronic medical records contribute to physician burnout, as they prefer to spend more time with their patients rather than interacting with the EMR system.

Why is it important for plan sponsors, employers, and patients to understand the electronic medical record system?

Understanding the electronic medical record system is important for plan sponsors, employers, and patients to grasp the challenges faced by doctors and hospitals, which can help in improving the overall healthcare experience.