The Implications of the Copy-Paste Function on the Redundancy of Documentation in the EHR

Electronic health record (EHR) documentation is exponentially longer and less efficient today than in the past decade. Research suggests one factor contributing to over-documentation is the excessive use of the copy-paste function (CPF), resulting in the redundancy of data over 50 percent of the time. The overuse of the CPF and redundancy of information are directly linked to errors in safety practices and health outcomes. Solutions are needed to support the use of informatics and technology features in useable and safe measures.