EHR Documentation Overload. Why It Drives Doctors Up the Wall

Why Do Healthcare Workers Hate EHR Documentation?

"Hate" might sound harsh, but it's accurate. Picture a doctor finishing a 12-hour shift. Does it seem like a long day? It’s not over yet. They still need to log into the EHR system to update patient information. And there's no putting it off because tomorrow's workload will only pile up. And this isn't an isolated case! More than 77% of medical staff work late or bring administrative tasks home due to time constraints during their shifts.

The late-night EHR documentation grind, dubbed "pajama time," leads to burnout and affects patient care. According to one California MD, "Since we started using EHR three months ago, my clinical productivity — my ability to care for patients — has dropped by about a third. People's health is at risk." Nearly 75% of healthcare pros agree, saying EHR demands eat into the time they should be spending with patients.

Since we started using EHR three months ago, my clinical productivity — my ability to care for patients — has dropped by about a third. People's health is at risk.

70% of Physicians Think EHRs Cut Productivity

And how about the glorified boost in productivity? Ironically, 7 out of 10 physicians actually feel EHRs decrease it! While they acknowledge the usefulness of EHR documentation for analytics and reporting, their day-to-day operations suffer. 

Doctors and nurses are forced to navigate multiple EHR systems used across different hospitals and clinics nationwide. Each interface is unique, data labels and categories aren't user-friendly, and there's a maze of names and codes impossible to memorize. Amid the sea of options and constant notifications, medical staff struggle to find crucial information quickly.

“Too often, I pull up a record, either in peer review or another setting, and it’s almost impossible to really understand the storyline. Daily, I can’t find the information, particularly nurses’ notes and things like that that are really valuable to me. In a sense, it’s turned us into data entry clerks,” states MD from Georgia. 

Too often, I pull up a record, either in peer review or another setting, and it’s almost impossible to really understand the storyline. Daily, I can’t find the information, particularly nurses’ notes and things like that that are really valuable to me. In a sense, it’s turned us into data entry clerks.

Is Keeping EHR Documentation Even Mandatory?

Do medical professionals need EHRs if errors are so common? Legally, there's no requirement to use EHRs, but Congress encourages their adoption through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Whether you use paper or electronic records, keeping PHI safe under HIPAA is mandatory.

And despite the challenges, EHR systems offer significant benefits. They maintain an accurate record of a patient's medical history, medications, and treatment plans, crucial for precise care. This shared database helps medical teams coordinate care and minimize errors.

Moreover, well-organized EHRs are invaluable for research and public health. They provide extensive data to identify trends, develop treatments, and enhance healthcare practices. EHRs also support public health efforts by offering insights into population health, disease outbreaks, and intervention effectiveness.

How Do You Become Friends With EHR Documentation?

There’s no escaping EHR documentation, so let’s see how you can embrace it instead.

First off, streamline your system in-house. You can’t control how other hospitals and clinics handle their EHRs, but you can make sure your database is user-friendly. Simplify interfaces, cut out unnecessary categories, and keep item coding consistent. And don’t forget to listen to your staff—they know what works best.

Once you’ve revamped your EHR setup, offer training and ongoing education for everyone who uses it. A lot of frustration comes from not knowing how to use it well, so spending time on training pays off big time. Regular sessions keep everyone in the loop on new features and shortcuts, making the system less overwhelming.

For a real boost in productivity, consider using voice recognition tools. These tools let you dictate notes straight into the system three times faster than typing, saving time and reducing strain.

Use EHR Smarter in Your Hospital or Practice!

Here are some other essential tips on how to use EHR more efficiently:

1. Customize your EHR: Tailor the system to your workflow by setting up personalized templates and shortcuts.
2. Stay organized: Regularly update and review patient records to avoid a backlog of EHR documentation. Consistent updates ensure that information is always current and reliable.
3. Keep it transparent: Address mistakes promptly and clearly. Maintain an audit trail to document changes, ensuring transparency and accountability while preventing misunderstandings.
4. Leverage support: Don’t hesitate to contact your IT department or EHR vendor for help with system issues or advanced training.
5. Use simple language: Be as clear as possible while adding information. Descriptive documentation helps all healthcare providers understand the patient’s condition and treatment plan, avoiding misinterpretations and errors.
6. Don't copy and paste: Each entry should be specific to the patient encounter and relevant to their care plan. Avoid cluttering the record with unnecessary information.
7. Take breaks: To avoid burnout, take regular breaks during long documentation sessions. Short breaks can help maintain focus and prevent fatigue, ensuring that documentation remains accurate and thorough.

EHR Documentation Without Struggle

With two out of three doctors and nurses finding EHR documentation tough, your medical team probably feels the same way. But despite the challenges, EHRs offer more benefits than drawbacks. Improving your internal procedures can make navigating your system easier and more intuitive.

To lighten your staff's load, consider outsourcing some EHR tasks, like patient bookings, data management, and insurance verification, to scheduling receptionist services like Patient Connect. This move can reduce paperwork and give healthcare providers more time to focus on their patients.

☎️Contact our expert team to start now!