A piece of my mind. Copy-and-paste.
While the impact on time efficiency and quality of ambulatory care has raised questions about the utility of electronic health records (EHRs), most believe computerization will exist in all health care settings. This editorial discusses an unintended consequence of electronic health record implementation—the ability to easily and carelessly "copy and paste" information forward through the medical record. The author highlights the potential pitfalls from excessive copying and pasting and discusses the new challenges that may result from widespread EHR use. Other studies have also discussed unintended consequences from safety-driven solutions, such as implemenation of computerized provider order entry, quality measurement, and bar-code medication administration systems.