Evolution of Paperless Documentation: A Journey from Traditional Paper-Based Documentation to Electronic Health Records

Abstract

The shift from paper-based recording and storing patient information to electronic health records (EHR) systems has revolutionized healthcare services globally. This paper seeks to analyze the usability and effects of achieving paperless documentation at A Private Hospital in Kenya, which began with Care2000 in 2005 and was succeeded by Kranium in 2017.

Initially, the implementation of Care2000 optimized tasks and the quality of patients’ care by computerizing documents, decreasing the amount of paperwork, and improving data availability. The change to Kranium in 2017 brought possibilities like data exchange, analysis, and enhanced security, significantly improving healthcare services' quality. Kranium’s effect is identified by comparing the patient's average length of stay (ALOS) before and after the implementation of the system.

This creativity measured ALOS in 2016, which was the starting point for measuring ALOS regularly in other years. By implementing Kranium, ALOS has been reduced; thus, morale efficiency was indicated. In 2020-2021, the pandemic led to a temporary increase in ALOS, while ALOS returned to its previous level in 2022-2023, proving the presented system's effectiveness.

There have been admitted difficulties, such as resistance to the change, technical challenges, and data protection; however, continuity and staff training have been vital. Telemedicine and Mobile Health applications have increased access to healthcare even more beyond the current progress. In conclusion, integrating EHRs at The Nairobi Hospital there has had a significant impact on both the provision of healthcare and the healthcare providers and patients on a large scale, which sets out the hospital’s focus towards embracing technology in the improvement of healthcare and the overall betterment of the health providers’ and patients’ wellbeing.