Electronic medical record implementation in the emergency department in a low-resource country: Lessons learned

Nagham Faris, Miriam Saliba, Hani Tamim, Rima Jabbour, Ahmad Fakih, Zouhair Sadek, Rula Antoun, Mazen El Sayed and Eveline Hitti

PLOS ONE, 2024, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: Objective: There is paucity of information regarding electronic medical record (EMR) implementation in emergency departments in countries outside the United States especially in low-resource settings. The objective of this study is to describe strategies for a successful implementation of an EMR in the emergency department and to examine the impact of this implementation on the department’s operations and patient-related metrics. Methods: We performed an observational retrospective study at the emergency department of a tertiary care center in Beirut, Lebanon. We assessed the effect of EMR implementation by tracking emergency departments’ quality metrics during a one-year baseline period and one year after implementation. End-user satisfaction and patient satisfaction were also assessed. Results: Our evaluation of the implementation of EMR in a low resource setting showed a transient increase in LOS and visit-to-admission decision, however this returned to baseline after around 6 months. The bounce-back rate also increased. End-users were satisfied with the new EMR and patient satisfaction did not show a significant change. Conclusions: Lessons learned from this successful EMR implementation include a mix of strategies recommended by the EMR vendor as well as specific strategies used at our institution. These can be used in future implementation projects in low-resource settings to avoid disruption of workflows.

Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0298027

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298027

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