The Real Cost of Paper in a Digital Hospital

In an era where electronic health records (EHRs) are the norm, the hidden costs of paper-based processes remain a silent drain on hospital resources. Hospitals that have invested millions in EHR systems like Oracle Cerner still find themselves grappling with paper usage, often without realising the full extent of the financial and environmental burden.

Key Statistics

• Hospitals use 30-35 sheets of paper per patient bed per day (Practice Greenhealth).
• A 500-bed hospital generates over 5.4 million sheets of paper annually.

Direct and Hidden Costs
Direct costs include supplies, printer maintenance, and storage, accounting for up to 3% of hospital operating budgets (HFMA). Hidden costs, such as reduced staff productivity and missing records, compound these expenses. Staff spend 20-30% of their time handling paper documents (AHIMA), which significantly impacts efficiency and patient care.

Take Action
It’s time to audit your hospital’s paper usage and uncover the hidden costs. Stay tuned for the next blog, where we’ll identify the primary areas of paper waste and their impact.

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Brought to you from the team responsible for the UK’s first fully digital Hospital to HIMSS 7

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