Electronic health records (EHRs) are designed to improve safety and accountability, but when safeguards are poorly implemented, they can unintentionally slow care, frustrate surgeons, and disrupt workflows in the ASC. One of the most common pressure points is the use of EHR "hard stops" that prevent users from moving forward until specific documentation requirements are met.
That issue was explored in a recent episode of The ASC Podcast with John Goehle, where Daren Smith, Vice President of ASC Solutions at Surgical Information Systems, joined John to discuss how ASCs can balance physician satisfaction with patient safety.
During the conversation, Daren explained that hard stops are most effective when they are designed around clinical workflows rather than applied uniformly across the system. He discussed how timing, order visibility, and state-specific or regulatory exceptions must all be considered to avoid creating barriers that add friction without improving outcomes.
The episode also addressed the importance of governance and communication during EHR implementation. Involving physicians and clinical leaders in system build decisions, testing changes before deployment, and reviewing hard stop performance over time can all help ASCs reduce risk while maintaining efficient, physician-friendly workflows.
For ASC leaders navigating EHR adoption or looking to refine existing systems, the episode offers practical guidance on managing change thoughtfully while using technology to support both compliance and efficiency. Listeners are encouraged to tune in to the episode of The ASC Podcast for the complete conversation.
