Four Years Later: Examining Nurse Perceptions of Electronic Documentation Over Time.

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in registered nurse (RN) perceptions of electronic documentation over a 4-year period. BACKGROUND: The investigators previously reported differences in RN perceptions prior to and 1 year after adoption of a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR). METHODS: Investigators repeated the study 4 years after adoption, using the Nurses' Perceptions of Electronic Documentation tool and interviews with a subset of RNs. RESULTS: Nurses scored higher on ease of use domain and lower on concern about the EHR domain and showed no difference on the impacts of the EHR domain. Interviews revealed that 4 years later, some aspects of documentation were easier; the tool was comprehensive, but not without risk, and nurses remained ambivalent about the EHR. CONCLUSIONS: Use of EHR technology impacts nursing work. It is important to understand how nurses' perceptions change over time. This study gives nursing leaders insight into adoption and acceptance of an EHR.

RN Perceptions of a Newly Adopted Electronic Health Record.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to understand nurses' perceptions of a newly adopted electronic health record (EHR). BACKGROUND: As use of EHRs in hospital settings increases, leaders prepare staff members for change. There is limited information about impacts of EHR adoption on RNs using EHRs at the point of care. METHODS: Clinical RNs were surveyed about 3 domains (ease of use, usefulness, and attitude) before and after implementation of an EHR. A small subset of nurses was interviewed for a deeper understanding of perceptions associated with this change. RESULTS: One year after adoption, nurses believed that the EHR did not improve patient care, the learning curve was steep, and they had lower confidence using the EHR than anticipated. Nurses commented on both their frustration and optimism about EHRs. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insight into RNs' perceptions of an EHR, providing important information for nursing administrators.