biostudies-literatureYin ZNCATS NIH HHSe22806https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7974764biostudies-literatureUnknown23(3)<h4>Background</h4>Documentation burden is a common problem with modern electronic health record (EHR) systems. To reduce this burden, various recording methods (eg, voice recorders or motion sensors) have been proposed. However, these solutions are in an early prototype phase and are unlikely to transition into practice in the near future. A more pragmatic alternative is to directly modify the implementation of the existing functionalities of an EHR system.<h4>Objective</h4>This study aims to assess the nature of free-text comments entered into EHR flowsheets that supplement quantitative vital sign values and examine opportunities to simplify functionality and reduce documentation burden.<h4>Methods</h4>We evaluated 209,055 vital sign comments in flowsheets that were generated in the EpicJournal of medical Internet researchContribution of Free-Text Comments to the Burden of Documentation: Assessment and Analysis of Vital Sign Comments in Flowsheets.PMC7974764UL1 TR002243Liu YMcCoy ABSengstack PRMalin BAYin ZfalseContribution of Free-Text Comments to the Burden of Documentation: Assessment and Analysis of Vital Sign Comments in Flowsheets.<h4>Background</h4>Documentation burden is a common problem with modern electronic health record (EHR) systems. To reduce this burden, various recording methods (eg, voice recorders or motion sensors) have been proposed. However, these solutions are in an early prototype phase and are unlikely to transition into practice in the near future. A more pragmatic alternative is to directly modify the implementation of the existing functionalities of an EHR system.<h4>Objective</h4>This study aims to assess the nature of free-text comments entered into EHR flowsheets that supplement quantitative vital sign values and examine opportunities to simplify functionality and reduce documentation burden.<h4>Methods</h4>We evaluated 209,055 vital sign comments in flowsheets that were generated in the Epic2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Mar2025-04-18T16:05:34.493Z2025-04-07T03:06:26.903ZS-EPMC79747643366112810.2196/22806