5 Ways Electronic Health Records Increase Efficiency and Patient Satisfaction

By Your Health Magazine

In 2009, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health started the shift from paper records to electronic health records. This rule mandated all medical providers to make the shift. Continued updates shifted the timeline, but today, all providers must have medical records handled electronically.

The shift from paper to electronic health records has created tremendous change in the medical world. From limiting tedious paperwork to improving accuracy, these changes improve patient satisfaction and care while also creating more streamlined workflows for medical centers. By digitizing patient information and putting it within a central database, medical providers can even improve patient outcomes. Here are five specific ways electronic health records benefit both patients and providers.

EHRs reduce paperwork and resulting human errors

The main benefit seen at the outset when implementing EHRs is a reduction in paperwork. Less paperwork means more productivity for the office and nursing staff. It also reduces the risk of human error. Fewer errors can improve outcomes for patients.

For example, EHR technology can flag potential drug interactions, protecting patients from potentially deadly mistakes. These checks happen automatically. A doctor does not need to know a patient’s list of medications. The medications stay in the health record and get automatically flagged for potential interactions.

Studies are pointing to the benefits of limiting errors in this way. In one 2019 study published in Oxford Academic, researchers found the number of coding errors dropped from 23.2 to 7.6% with the switch to EHR in the National Hip Fracture Database. A 2024 study from Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital found that electronic health records had a significant positive relationship with fewer health errors, whereas provider knowledge or the quality of information provided to the provider had minimal impact.

EHRs streamline communication between healthcare providers

The human body is intricate and complex, and treating medical conditions often requires a team approach. A patient may need to visit a general practitioner and receive a referral to a specialist to treat one condition. Yet, the general practitioner will likely still provide care for other aspects of the patient’s health. With electronic records, these providers can communicate seamlessly, all while protecting the patient’s privacy, resulting in faster decision-making and improved outcomes.

EHRs improve communication between patients and providers

With an EHR system, patients and providers can communicate more readily. Most platforms offer appointment scheduling and messaging systems that patients can use to access their providers. Providers can skip the phone calls to respond to patients more quickly.

With better communication, patients feel more trust in their providers. When they trust their providers, they are more likely to follow their recommendations. Greater trust also increases the chances that a patient will request an appointment when they need one. All of this creates an environment where patients see better outcomes and satisfaction.

These systems also make it easier for patients to access their own records. Today’s patients take an increasingly active approach to their healthcare. As a result, they want access to their medical records. Electronic records make patient access easier to provide. Providers simply set up their system and allow patients to create their own client portals.

With easier access to records, patients can take control of their health. Many use their records to make informed decisions about their health, which, in turn, can improve outcomes.

EHRs create a coordinated approach to patient care

Ultimately, improved communication between providers and patients leads to a healthcare environment with a coordinated approach. Patients are more likely to invest in preventive care. The EHR system will notify them when care is due, and providers can see at a glance what preventive care their patients need. Providers and their support staff can see the data they need with a quick glance at the chart. Built-in safety nets reduce the chances of an error in this process.

This coordination extends outside of each medical office. When a patient needs a referral, their entire file gets sent with a few clicks. Thus, the new provider knows all tests, treatments, and results. This limits redundancies and excessive costs. It also limits treatment timeline delays. When a patient needs a prescription, information about their allergies and other drugs follows their file to the pharmacy.

Coordinated care has two specific benefits. First, like the other benefits, it improves patient outcomes. With accurate information available at the click of a button, medical providers can more quickly diagnose and treat their patients. Faster diagnostics means improved results for time-sensitive conditions, such as cancer.

Second, it creates greater operational efficiency within the clinic, office, or hospital. With less paper to manage and fewer communication concerns, staff can work more quickly.

5. EHRs increase patient safety

All of these benefits have one commonality. With an EHR in place and used well, patients get safer healthcare. With fewer errors, improved diagnostic speed, and improved preventive care, most patients have better health.

The statistics surrounding the implementation of EHR agree. The National Coordinator for Health IT reports that:

88% of providers found clinical benefits by implementing EHR.
Three-quarters of providers found better patient care to be one of those benefits.

For the modern physician, better patient safety and improved patient outcomes is the ultimate goal.

Today, electronic health records are no longer optional. All providers must keep electronic records. As these systems become increasingly centralized and coordinated, their benefits will continue to expand to more patients and providers.