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Integrating Commercial Ambulatory Electronic Health Records With Hospital Systems: An Evolutionary Process., Susan A Sherer, Chad D Meyerhoefer, Michael Sheinberg Md, Donald Levick Md

Donald Levick MD, MBA, CPHIMS

OBJECTIVE: The increase in electronic health record implementation in all treatment venues has led to greater demands for integration within and across practice settings with different work cultures. We study the evolution of coordination processes when integrating ambulatory-specific electronic health records with hospital systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Longitudinal qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and archival documentation throughout a 5-year implementation and integration of obstetrical ambulatory and hospital records with a goal of achieving a perinatal continuum of care. RESULTS: As users implement and integrate electronic health records, there is an evolution in their focus from technology acceptance to structural adaptation …