Evaluation of EMR Implementation in a Private Hospital from User’s Perspective

Abstract

Implementation of an electronic medical record
system increases efficiency of health services, quality of care
and patient satisfaction. Successful implementation depends
on multiple factors; one of which is users’ response to EMR.
This study aimed to assess physicians and nurses’ views on the
use, quality and user satisfaction with EMR at a tertiary
care center in Karachi, Pakistan. Since its inception the
Hospital is accredited for being Pakistan’s first paperless
hospital. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a
self-administered questionnaire to evaluate use, quality and user
satisfaction with EMR. The questionnaire assessed: 1) computer
related experience; 2) perceptions regarding EMR use; 3)
quality of EMR system and 4) level of satisfaction with EMR
system. The response rate was 75% nurses and 61% physicians.
It was found that 80% of the respondents used EMR to obtain
results of patients’ investigations and test reports.
81.6% respondents were of the opinion that the EMR System
provides the needed information about patients and
reported their satisfaction with the accuracy of the system.
Concerning user satisfaction with EMR, 94.6% of EMR users
believed that EMR is a useful system and 90.8% agreed on its
significance for the better care of the patients. Type of
respondents emerged as a significant correlate with overall
users’ satisfaction (p < 0.05). 90% respondents emphasized on
a user-friendly EMR system and adequate training on its usage.
Besides respondents, gender and computer related
experience have also significantly correlated with various
aspects of use, quality and user satisfaction with EMR (p <
0.05). We were unable to correlate age with satisfaction with an
EMR. EMR implementation positively effects workflow and
practice efficiency in a hospital. This study provides a
systematic evaluation of various d imens ions of EMR and
its correlates which is essential to understand reasons and
barriers for success, and methods to increase success in
EMR implementation. Hospital management should ensure the
availability of technical expertise along with adequate training
of HMIS staff.