Implementing electronic health records in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: The increasing presence of electronic health records (EHRs) in health care presents interesting and unique challenges in the Emergency Department (ED) setting. Unfortunately, scant literature exists addressing the implementation of EHRs in this setting. OBJECTIVES: The authors, both involved in the implementation of such systems at their respective institutions, review the challenges and benefits that exist with such implementation, and the steps that EDs can take to facilitate this process. DISCUSSION: Unlike ambulatory and inpatient settings, where patient volume can be adjusted to help with this transition, EDs are unable to alter their volume and must maximize their efficiency during this process. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding and anticipating the EHR's impact on workflow is critical to successful implementation.