The challenges of implementing electronic health records for anesthesia use outside the operating room

The nonoperating room environment presents a number of distinct challenges for anesthesiologists in the implementation of electronic health records (EHRs). These include documentation compliance, billing, and room design.

EHRs offer multiple opportunities for improved continuity of care, expedited preoperative evaluation, and seamless transitions between anesthesia and nonanesthesia providers. Additionally, data gathered through adoption of EHRs provide the promise of future analysis and research, allowing for data-driven improvements in quality of care and value optimization. Institutions adopting a new EHR in areas where anesthesia is provided outside of the operating room should plan wisely to address these matters.

The needs of anesthesiology practice should be carefully incorporated into future EHR builds as demands for anesthesia care outside of the operating room expand.