Understanding the EMR error control practices among gynecologic physicians

Khare, Ritu; An, Yuan; Wolf, Sandra; Nyirjesy, Paul; Liu, Longjian; Chou, Edgar

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/36042 Copy

Description

Title

Understanding the EMR error control practices among gynecologic physicians

Author(s)

• Khare, Ritu
• An, Yuan
• Wolf, Sandra
• Nyirjesy, Paul
• Liu, Longjian
• Chou, Edgar

Issue Date

2013-02

Keyword(s)

• Algorithms
• Data Errors
• EMRs
• Physicians
• User Study

Abstract

An “EMR error” refers to any incorrect, incomplete, or inconsistent patient information entered into electronic medical records (EMRs). Currently, the administering clinicians “manually” resolve such errors. Designing automated error control algorithms is a significant, and yet under-explored, informatics problem. In this study, we assess the EMR error detection abilities of physicians, reveal their strategies, and draw implications for computational algorithm design. Focusing on gynecologic practice, we conducted an error simulation study by fabricating several “erroneous” patient visit notes. We presented these notes to 20 experienced gynecologists, and asked them to detect any errors. Despite devoting substantial time, the participants could detect <50% of the introduced errors. Nevertheless, the successful cases helped reveal the 5 kinds of automatable “triggers” that helped participants sense an error candidate. The participants were able to recognize these triggers because of their comprehensive gynecologic knowledge accumulated through experience and medical school training.

Publisher

iSchools

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/36042

DOI

https://doi.org/10.9776/13197

Copyright and License Information

Copyright © 2013 is held by the authors. Copyright permissions, when appropriate, must be obtained directly from the authors.

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