The American Health Information Management Association has released a position statement on the use of the copy-and-paste function found in electronic health records. As many as 90 percent of physicians use this tool, but if used incorrectly, it can result in redundant, erroneous and/or incomprehensible healthcare documentation, as well as billing fraud, the position statement warns.
AHIMA recommends that the copy-and-paste function should only be used with "strong" technical and administrative controls. It also recommends that stakeholders and others take certain steps to reduce the risks inherent in the use of the tool, such as collaborating to develop best practices, establishing policies and procedures to govern use of the copy and paste function, better EHR design and government guidance. Paper (.pdf)