Open AccessEffectiveness of the Electronic Medical Record in Improving the Management of Hypertension
Author(s) -
Kinn James W.,
Marek Joseph C.,
O'Toole Michael F.,
Rowley Stephen M.,
Bufalino Vincent J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the journal of clinical hypertension
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1751-7176
pISSN - 1524-6175
DOI - 10.1111/j.1524-6175.2002.01248.x
Subject(s) - medicine , electronic medical record , medical record , blood pressure , documentation , medical care , emergency medicine , computer science , programming language
Clinical studies suggest that hypertension is often undiagnosed, undertreated, and poorly controlled. In 1997, the authors developed a comprehensive electronic medical record that interfaces with physicians during each outpatient visit and provides real‐time feedback about patient care management, including the management of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this interactive electronic medical record results in better detection and control of hypertension. During a 12‐month study period, consecutive outpatients (n=1076) were seen for routine follow‐up; patient care documentation relied solely on the electronic medical record. Quality indicators for hypertension included: 1) documentation of the diagnosis of hypertension; 2) use of blood pressure‐lowering drugs; and 3) successful blood pressure lowering to ≤140/90 mm Hg. The authors compared the hypertension management of these patients to a control group of similar patients (n=723) with medical records consisting solely of traditional “pen and paper” charts. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups, including the prevalence of hypertension (73 % vs. 70%; p=NS). However, the electronic medical record resulted in higher documentation rates of hypertension (90% vs. 77%; p<0.001), greater use of antihypertensive therapy (94% vs. 90%; p<0.01), and more successful blood pressure lowering to ≤140/90 mm Hg (54% vs. 28%; p<0.001). In conclusion, the electronic medical record with real‐time feedback improves the physician's ability to detect, treat, and control hypertension.