Adaptation Trends of Emergency Medical Personnel after Implementation of the Electronic Medical Record System into Emergency Care

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: With many advantages, Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems have been adopted by numerous edical institutions. However, medical personnel, the direct users of the system, have a negative opinion of it. Especially, medical personnel at the emergency department, in which the most rapid services are required, have a more negative opinion. We performed this study to improve the system from the view points of time factors, which are the most unsatisfactory to medical personnel. METHODS: We compared the time consumed for making patients' medical records before and after the adoption of EMR system in Asan Medical Center. A questionnaire regarding contentment and the presumptive time consumption of the EMR were answered by emergency medical personnel. RESULTS: The actual time consumed for the written and the electronic records was the same. However, from the survey, the time consumed on the electronic recording system was perceived to be longer by medical personnel. 46.7% of the doctors and 53.8% of the nurses answered that EMR was convenient, and 59.3% of them agreed to continue using the system. CONCLUSION: If the EMR system is developed for user convenience, it can also be useful in emergency care as well. Therefore, emergency medical personnel must participate in the initial period of EMR system development.