ED physicians devote more time to EMRs than direct care

Emergency department (ED) physicians spend significantly more time entering data into EMRs than on any other activity, including direct patient care, according to a study published online in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.

The study, “4000 Clicks: a productivity analysis of electronic medical records in a community hospital ED,” evaluated physician productivity using EMRs. Researchers observed physician time usage per hour and tabulated in the categories of direct patient contact, data and order entry, interaction with colleagues, and review of test results and old records.

Robert G. Hill, Jr., MD, from St. Luke's University Health Network, Allentown, Penn., and colleagues found that the average time spent on data entry was 43 percent, compared to 28 percent of time spent on direct patient care, 12 percent reviewing tests and records, 13 percent in discussions with colleagues and 3 percent on other activities.

The researchers also tabulated the number of mouse clicks necessary to achieve common ED functions for selected patient encounters. Overall, physicians reached 4,000 total mouse clicks per 10-hour shift, according to the study.

“Improved efficiency in data entry would allow emergency physicians to devote more time to patient care, thus increasing hospital revenue,” wrote Hill et al.