A time-motion study to evaluate the impact of EMR and CPOE implementation on physician efficiency.

The objective of this research is to determine the impact of EMR and CPOE implementation on physician efficiency. A time series observational study was conducted within a hospital setting at six weeks pre-implementation, six weeks post-implementation and five months post-implementation. All 19 subjects were observed twice with one patient per observation. Physician follow-up rounding times per patient were measured. Physicians demonstrated a mean total rounding time of 18.79 minutes (pre-implementation); 16.97 minutes (six weeks post-implementation); and 12.97 minutes (five months post). Overall, the results showed a statistically significant F value = 8.26 > 1 (p = 0.0011) that signifies a reduction in physician rounding time within the hospital setting following EMR implementation. Results also showed overall standard deviations of 6.96 minutes (pre-implementation); 5.13 minutes (six weeks post); and 3.69 minutes (five months post), possibly signifying a reduction in variability and a narrower distribution of rounding times with increased similarity in physicians' rounding patterns.