Knowing what to measure

When the Barger Clinic in Eugene, Ore., implemented an electronic medical record, it found that true return on investment is measured not only in financial terms but also in terms of greater clinical value for patients. Within two years of implementing the system, the organization was able to significantly reduce the amount of paper filed in patient records, improve provider productivity and efficiency, reduce the potential for adverse drug events by automating prescriptions, and improve patient and provider satisfaction.