Research Article
Open Access
Challenges Among Nurses in Implementing Electronic Health Records (EHRs) at District Base Hospital, Teldeniya
Abstract
Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are digital versions of patients' medical records that enhance the safety, efficiency, and quality of healthcare delivery. Despite their potential benefits, the implementation of EHR systems remains challenging, particularly in developing countries. In Sri Lanka, only a limited number of hospitals have adopted EHR systems. District Base Hospital, Teldeniya, has successfully implemented an EHR system in the Outpatient Department and selected clinical units; however, nurses continue to experience various challenges during its implementation.
This study aimed to identify the personal and institutional challenges faced by nurses in implementing Electronic Health Records at District Base Hospital, Teldeniya. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed using a self-administered questionnaire. A convenience sample of 100 nurses participated in the study, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.
The findings revealed that the major challenges experienced by nurses included inadequate continuous training, frequent interruptions during EHR use, lack of confidence and belief in the EHR system, insufficient computer training, and technical problems such as power failures and network interruptions. Although most participants expressed positive attitudes toward EHRs, these personal and institutional barriers affected the effective implementation of the system.
The study concludes that strengthening continuous professional development, improving technical infrastructure, and providing regular computer and EHR-related training are essential to enhance the successful implementation of Electronic Health Records. The findings may assist hospital administrators and the Ministry of Health in developing appropriate strategies to improve EHR adoption and utilization among nurses in Sri Lanka.
Keywords
Electronic Health Records, Nurses, Nursing Informatics, Healthcare Technology, Implementation Challenges, Sri Lanka
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Medha Verma., Sandya Gupta.,(2016). Problems faced by nurses in use of Electronic Health
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Miller,R., West, C., Brown,T., Sim, I., Ganchoff, C., (2005). The value of electronic health
records in solo or small group practices. Health Affairs.24, 1127-1137. 18
Speziale, H.J.S.and Carpenter, D.R . (2007). Qualitative research in nursing : Advancing the Humanistic imperative. (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lipincott Williams & Wilkins.
Medical Record System. Proceeding of Singapore Health Care.
Azza, E. M. (2012). Adoption and Barriers to Adoption of Electronic Health Records
bynurses in three government hospitals in East Province of Saud i Arabia. Policy Applied and Research Institute.
Bakheet, A., Sheema, A. M., Hanan,A, Abdullah, A.(2017).Assessment Of factors
influencing nurses acceptance of electronic medical record in Saudi Arabia hospital. Department of Health Informatics.
Bredfelt, C., Awad, E., Joseph, K., Synder, M. (2013). Training providers: Beyond the
basicsof Electronic health records. BMC Health Services Research, 13(503), 1-8.
Davidson, E.and Heslinga, D. (2007). Bridging the IT Adoption Gap for Small
PhysicianPractice. An Action Research Study on Electronic Health Records. Journal of Information System Management.24(1), 15-28.
Denham Pole. (2010). Electronic Patients Records in Sri Lankan Hospitals. Sri Lankan
Journal of Bio Medical Informatics.1(1), 41-45.
Depoy, E. and Gitlin, L. (2005). Introduction to research: Understanding and applying
multiple Strategies. (3 ed.). St. Louis.: Mosby.
Diachuck, G. (1991). Research in nursing practice NSU4101. The Open University of
SriLanka, Nawala.
Fall. (2008). Electronic Health Records. Harvard Public Health Review,
https://www.mdssrilanka.com
Hanan, A., Bakheet, A., Baseema, S., (2014). Nurses‟ attitude, acceptance and Electronic
Medical Records in King Abdul Aziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MR Journals 17.
Hayrinenk., Saranto, K., Nykanen, P. (2008). Structure, content, use, and impact ofElectronic
Health Records. International journal of medical informatics.
Hsiau., JuLing., Chang., Chen.,(2011). A study of factors affecting acceptance of
Hospitalinformation systems : A nursing perspective. Journal of Nursing Research: 19(2). https://doi:10.1097/JNR.0b013e31821cbb25.
James,F.(2009). Challenges associated with physician usage of electronic medical records.
https://scoasite.wordpress/10.4018/jhisi.2009070103.
Jayawardana, D.B.A.S., Wikramasinghe, S.C., Wimalaratne, S.R.U. (2010). Health
CareWorkers‟ Use of Electronic Hospital Information System and Their computer Literacy at the Out Patient Department in District General Hospital Trincomalee in SriLanka. Journal computer science.
Krejcie, R.V., and Morgan, D.W. (1970). Determining Sample Size for research
activities.Educational and psychological measurement.
Linda E. Moody., Elain Slocumb., Donna Jackson., (2004). Electronic Health
ReDocumentation in Nursing : Nurses‟ Perceptions, Attitudes, and Prepferences. Medscape from THE MD Maxwell, J.A. (2005). Qualitative research design: an interactive approach (2 ed). Thousand oaks: SAGE publication.
Medha Verma., Sandya Gupta.,(2016). Problems faced by nurses in use of Electronic Health
Records during clinical practice. IMIA and IOS press. https://doi.org/10.3233/978/1/61499/658/3/985
Miller,R., West, C., Brown,T., Sim, I., Ganchoff, C., (2005). The value of electronic health
records in solo or small group practices. Health Affairs.24, 1127-1137. 18
Speziale, H.J.S.and Carpenter, D.R . (2007). Qualitative research in nursing : Advancing the Humanistic imperative. (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lipincott Williams & Wilkins.