The current status of EMRs and their impact on malpractice risk has been outlined in a recent joint survey conducted by the Medical Records Institute Inc. (Boston, Mass.) and Professional Risk Associates Inc. (Midlothian, Va.).
According to both companies, key findings of the survey include:
- Of the 62 percent of respondents with EMR systems, over two-thirds have stand-alone systems.
- Nearly two-thirds of physicians indicated their providers use an EMR system.
- Approximately a quarter of those who have EMR systems complained the system does not have the functions they need, and a similar percentage stated they did not receive adequate training.
- Nearly 20 percent of respondents stated their malpractice insurer offers a discount for having an EMR System, and 45 percent believe EMRs will make them less vulnerable to malpractice cases.
- Among one-fifth who have had a malpractice case in which documentation was based on the EMR, 55 percent said the EMR was helpful.
