Evaluating the Implementation of Electronic Medical Records in the Emergency Medical Services Department at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare

Abstract

This paper evaluates the implementation of EPIC system on the quality performance of Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare's (JHAH) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department. This is a retrospective observational study conducted to compare the EMS department performance prior and post the implementation of EPIC on January 26th, 2018. A total number of 49,006 patients visited the EMS department during the control period (pre EPIC) while a total number of 42,431 patients visited the department during the study period (post EPIC). A statistically significant improvement with P<0.05 was found in the waiting time for patients triaged in all acuity levels. The volume of patients visiting the EMS department had a statistically significance increment after the implementation of EPIC. EHRs use the advancement in technology to store and instantly provide clinical information to the healthcare providers. Integrating EHRs to the person-centered care culture has a great potential of empowerment, education, and engagement of individuals in a more effective manner.