However, copying and pasting text from another record can lead to errors. In a new position paper, the American Health Information Management Association has identified five potential consequences of physician use of EHRs’ copy-paste function.
- Inaccurate or outdated information
- Redundant information
- An inability to identify when the documentation was first created
- Unnecessarily lengthy progress notes
- The spreading of false information
To avoid these errors, AHIMA recommends the copy-paste function only be permitted in the presence of strong administrative controls, including appropriate oversight and user training.
More Articles on Copy-Paste Functions:
OIG: CMS Should Develop Best Practices to Detect EHR Fraud
OIG: Hospitals Are Not Using Recommended Fraud Safeguards in EHRs
How to Combat EMR Copy and Paste Errors
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