Optimizing Electronic Health Records (EHRs) for Quality Improvement (QI)
Resource: Helping Practices Optimize EHRs for Patient-Centered Medical Home Transformation and Quality Improvement (PDF, 1.5 MB, 38 pages)
Part of an AHRQ curriculum used to train practice facilitators, this resource introduces ways electronic health records (EHRs) can support quality improvement in primary care practices. In support of Key Driver 3: Optimize health information systems to extract data and support use of evidence in practice, the module covers ways to assess and improve a practice’s EHR processes, work with practice staff to map workflows, improve reporting efficiency and effectiveness, and promote use of clinical decision support and patient portals. It also contains a section on the special concerns of small practices and EHRs. Although addressed to practice facilitators with a special emphasis on patient-centered medical homes, it contains valuable information for practices working to improve quality on their own and outside of the patient-centered medical home structure. Sections of this resource include:
- Ways to Help Practices Use EHRs to Support Patient-Centered Medical Home and Quality.
- Providing EHR Support to Practices.
- Obtaining In-Depth Training on Specific EHRs.
- Coordinating With Technical Experts on EHRs and Data.
- Ways That EHRs Support the PCMH.
- Helping Practices Optimize EHR Use.
- Understanding the Impact of EHRs on Patient Experience.
- Using EHRs in Quality Improvement.
- Helping Practices Enhance Use of Other Health IT Resources for PCMH.
- A Note About Small Practices and EHRs.
Institution of origin: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Author(s): Knox L, Floutsis G, Gottsman A, Loken K, McCaskill M
Acknowledgements: This document is part of AHRQ’s Primary Care Practice Facilitation Curriculum, available at: https://www.ahrq.gov/ncepcr/tools/transform-qi/deliver-facilitation/curriculum/index.html.
Publication date: September 2015
