AHRQ National Survey Assessing the Number of Records Allowed Open in EHRs at Hospitals, Ambulatory Sites

Wrong-patient errors can occur during computerized provider order entry, particularly if ordering clinicians have more than one patient record open, according to findings from an AHRQ study. Experts have recommended that health systems allow only a single patient record to be open at a time to prevent these errors. A national survey of electronic health record leaders examined whether health systems permit records for multiple patients to be open simultaneously for electronic ordering and documentation. Nearly 200 health systems responded to the survey, and respondents described widely differing practices.

Read more:

• A national survey assessing the number of records allowed open in electronic health records at hospitals and ambulatory sites. AHRQ. April 2017