The Effect Of Using Electronic Medical Records on Outpatient Waiting Times at Majalaya District Hospital

Abstract

The implementation of electronic medical records (EMR) in hospitals has emerged as a pivotal strategy for enhancing the efficiency of healthcare services, particularly in reducing outpatient waiting times. This study examines the impact of EMR adoption on outpatient waiting times at RSUD Majalaya, employing a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional analytical design. Data were gathered through direct observations, interviews with hospital staff, and document analysis. The findings reveal that EMR implementation significantly shortens patient waiting times across key service stages, including registration, consultation, and medication collection. Additionally, EMR adoption improves patient satisfaction and streamlines the workflows of medical staff. Despite these benefits, challenges such as inadequate staff training and limited technological infrastructure were identified. The study concludes that EMR implementation has a positive impact on outpatient waiting times and recommends prioritizing staff training and infrastructure enhancement to maximize its potential. The implementation of EMR led to a significant improvement in total waiting time, which decreased from 250.86 minutes to 197.57 minutes (p-value 0.000 < 0.05). Specifically, the waiting time for doctor consultations was reduced from 125.42 minutes prior to EMR implementation to 102.45 minutes afterward (p-value 0.000 < 0.05), while the waiting time for pharmacy services declined from 96.48 minutes to 82.32 minutes (p-value 0.038 < 0.05). Statistical analysis using the t-test confirmed a significant positive impact of EMR on reducing waiting times.