Development of an electronic medical records project for Al-Razi hospital in Palestine.

BACKGROUND: Electronic medical records (EMR) are considered an important aspect to improve medical services provided to patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the development of an Electronic Medical Records Project for Al-Razi hospital in Palestine.

DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was mixed method, qualitative and quantitative. The use of a questionnaire for the staff in the Al-Razi hospital and seven administrators' participants were meat as focus group.

RESULTS: Approximately 136 participants in the study. The study findings reported that employees perceived the use of EMRs to have several benefits. The most common benefits include promoting patient safety culture and drug error reduction. In addition, the study findings reported that employees perceived the use of EMRs to have several challenges. The most common challenges include lack of knowledge and skill, insufficient time to use EMR, and limited of computers.

CONCLUSIONS: Health informatics brings various benefits to the healthcare system. Some participants believed that the EMR system would improve patient care and it will improve patient satisfaction.