Impact of implementing structured note templates on data capture for hernia surgery.

Background: Electronic medical record notes have been determined to be lacking in quality, accessibility and content. Structured note templates could provide a way to improve these aspects, particularly with regard to data availability for research and quality improvement.

Objective: To determine whether the implementation of a standardised template for hernia documentation can improve data completeness and timeliness.

Method: Retrospective review of clinic notes of 30 patients, 15 prior to implementation of a standardised note template and 15 after implementation of the template. The number of the 21 Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative (AHSQC) variables which were present in the notes was recorded, as was the time that the consultation ended and the time that the note was submitted.

Results: Mean number of variables collected prior to implementation of the template was 5.9 ± 1.6 vs. 20 ± 0.4 after implementation (p < 0.001). In the pre-implementation group, 20% of the notes were completed after the day of the visit, while all of the notes in the post-implementation group were completed on the same day as the visit (p = 0.367).

Conclusion: Implementation of a structured note template resulted in significantly improved capture of specific database variables within clinical notes. Structured note templates are an effective tool to improve data capture from the clinical setting for research and quality improvement.