Title: Task and error analysis balancing benefits over business of electronic medical records

Authors: Deborah Sater Carstens; Walter Rodriguez; Michael B. Wood

Addresses: Florida Institute of Technology, Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901, USA ' Department of Information Systems and Operations Management, Lutgert College of Business, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. So., Fort Myers, Florida 33965-6565, USA ' Mayo Clinic Florida, Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery, Davis 2, 4500 San Pablo Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA

Abstract: Task and error analysis research was performed to identify: a) the process for healthcare organisations in managing healthcare for patients with mental illness or substance abuse; b) how the process can be enhanced and; c) if electronic medical records (EMRs) have a role in this process from a business and safety perspective. The research question is if EMRs have a role in enhancing the healthcare for patients with mental illness or substance abuse. A discussion on the business of EMRs is addressed to understand the balancing act between the safety and business aspects of an EMR.

Keywords: EMRs; electronic medical records; patient safety; task analysis; error analysis; mental health; substance abuse; efficiency; medical errors; hospitals; HIS; health information systems; HIT; healthcare information technology; e-healthcare; electronic healthcare; mental illness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEH.2014.064333

International Journal of Electronic Healthcare, 2014 Vol.7 No.4, pp.331 - 348

Received: 08 Mar 2013
Accepted: 02 Dec 2013

Published online: 18 Aug 2014 *

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