Using both a paper and an electronic health record system at the same time--a common practice during an entity's transition from paper to EHRs--increases the likelihood of errors, according to a recent study from the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority. PPSA previously had conducted a study that identified numerous errors caused by EHR users that warranted further study. In its subsequent study, PPSA found a large number of error reports (85) stemming from the hybrid use of both electronic and paper health records, often from miscommunication or overlooking information. The most common errors (74 percent) were medication errors.
The study suggested, among other things, that entities work diligently to complete their transition to EHRs, identify a single person for successful implementation, and continued evaluation of their systems. Article