Impacts on quality of care following electronic health record implementation within a large Canadian community hospital: a qualitative study.

objectiveThis study aimed to describe how healthcare providers perceived the impacts of implementing and using an electronic health record (EHR) on quality, safety and person-centredness of care.

designA qualitative descriptive design using semistructured interviews.

settingIn October 2020, a large Canadian community hospital implemented a new EHR system (Epic) across three sites, transitioning from a previously fragmented (combination of paper-based and electronic) system.

participantsSixty-two healthcare providers and clinical leaders.

resultsParticipants shared their experiences regarding the impact of EHR implementation on quality of care, which were analysed into common themes including task efficiency, information management, patient interactions and patient safety. While the system significantly altered their routines and introduced new responsibilities like additional documentation requirements, it also facilitated adherence to clinical guidelines, improved information visibility and enhanced documentation, benefiting overall quality of care and patient safety. Participants reported that EHR implementation led to increased efficiency, freeing up time for patient care and improving communication with patients and other providers.

conclusionEHRs have the potential to improve quality of care and patient safety, but this depends on their perceived value and how well healthcare providers can integrate their various features into clinical routines.