Abstract
We clarified the effect of the integrated electrocardiogram management system on user’s availability and prevention of patient misidentification. In accordance with the hospital information system update in September 2011, we started paperless operation of all hospital medical services in the National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center. At that same time, we introduced the integrated electrocardiogram management system, which could connect to all electrocardiographs in the hospital by wireless LAN. In an emergency case, an electrocardiogram was recorded without an electrocardiography order, and patient ID was registered in the recorded electrograph or modified in the electrocardiogram server. It was possible to migrate to the new system using an MFER repository set from the old electrocardiogram filing system of the third party, which had been used for 11 years. The rate of electrocardiogram readings increased after starting the integrated electrocardiogram management system, and the percentage of electrocardiograms from local stations to all electrocardiograms also increased significantly (p<0.05) and reached more than 30%. The percentage of electrocardiograms without registered patient ID decreased 6 months later. In addition, the new system enabled a centralized management of electrocardiograms, allowing the hospital staff to conduct health checks and contributing to paperless operation. In conclusion, the integrated electrocardiogram management system, which could transmit in real time from all electrocardiograms, and the continuous view of the old electrocardiograms proved to be effective in terms of user’s availability and in preventing patient misidentification.
