If end users aren’t properly trained to use an electronic medical record then havoc can be created, quickly. Reports from the recent Ebola infection incident in Dallas, TX (link) highlight this fact. Early reports were that some information (which might have been critical in deciding to release the patient) wasn’t available for the provider’s to review, while other reports say that it was there but wasn’t reviewed. In either case, it points to the definitive need for well documented workflows (who does what, when) and appropriate follow through of protocols.

When organizations don’t invest heavily in training and the necessary analysis, build customization and documentation creation, because it is resource intensive (fiscally and from a talent perspective) then they open themselves up to the greater possibility of error. In a healthcare situation, errors can mean the difference between life and death.

Related links:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulhsieh/2014/10/05/did-bad-ehr-software-lead-to-ebola-patient-being-sent-home/

http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/ehr-flaw-core-us-ebola-outbreak