Labor efficiency not strongly correlated with adding EHR

The relationship between the number and type of electronic health record (EHR) applications and hospital labor efficiency was studied based on data from nearly 2900 general acute care hospitals.  The labor efficiency measure used was full-time equivalents per adjusted occupied bed (FTE/AOB).  Overall, there was “no strong correlation between the number of applications in use” and the labor efficiency measure.  Differences were found between different types of EHR applications.  Those more likely to contribute to labor efficiency included: computerized provider order entry (CPOE), physician documentation systems, and radio frequency identification patient tracking (RFID).

Source: Do EHR investments lead to lower staffing levels?  Healthcare Financial Management;66(2):54-60, Feb. 2012.  Click here for full text: http://www.hfma.org/Publications/hfm-Magazine/Archives/2012/February/Do-EHR-Investments-Lead-to-Lower-Staffing-Levels-/ Posted by AHA Resource Center (312) 422-2050, rc@aha.org