| Electronic health records (EHRs) have been proposed as a sustainable solution for improving quality of medical care. This study investigates how EHR use, as implemented and utilized, impacts patient safety and quality performance. Data include nonfederal acute care hospitals in the state of Texas. Sources of data include the American Hospital Association, the Dallas Fort Worth Hospital Council, and the American Hospital Directory. The authors use partial least squares modeling to assess the relationship between hospital EHR use, patient safety, and quality of care. Patient safety is measured using 11 indicators as identified by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and quality performance is measured by 11 mortality indicators as related to 2 constructs: conditions and surgical procedures. Results identify positive significant relationships between EHR use, patient safety, and quality of care with respect to procedures. The authors conclude that there is sufficient evidence of the relationship between hospital EHR use and patient safety, and that sufficient evidence exists for the support of EHR use with hospital surgical procedures. |
Updated 01/31/2010