In the study, researchers gathered data from a group of Pennsylvania hospitals between 2005 and 2012 in addition to patient safety data from the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority.
Results showed advanced use of EHRs led to a 27 percent overall decline in patient safety events in both hospitals and physician practices. By category, EHR use led to a 30 percent drop in adverse events related to medication errors and a 25 percent decrease in complications.
The researchers hope policymakers will see the study’s results as evidence of the potential of health IT to improve patient safety.
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