Endoscopic reporting systems and integration with the electronic health record

Information technology holds promise for improving communication, increasing quality, and reducing costs for our health care system. In the ambulatory endoscopy center (AEC), procedure report generating software has evolved over nearly 30 years to fit more closely within this paradigm. Many software systems now allow communication with electronic health record and practice management systems, ancillary service electronic solutions, and regional health information exchanges. The opportunity to use such systems to participate effortlessly with quality reporting programs now exists as well. Automation of procedure-related information including the procedure report, nursing and anesthesia documentation, and endoscopy inventory data has been shown to reduce AEC expense and increase efficiency. The digitization of such health information has become vital in the era of the modern AEC as pressures mount to maximize quality and maintain profitability.