Improving Timely EMR Documentation at Lakeshore Cancer Centre, Nigeria | ACQUIRE QI-PS 2026

Oyeladun Oderemi shares how the Lakeshore Cancer Centre team in Lagos, Nigeria improved prompt documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) among clinicians. Timely, complete documentation is critical in oncology, where delays or gaps can lead to treatment delays, communication breakdowns and even wrong doses. Only about half of patient encounters were documented, verified and uploaded to the EMR within the expected timeframe. The team set out to raise this from 50% to 75% within 12 weeks. The first PDSA cycle, an EMR reorientation and refresher course, lifted timely documentation to about 74%. A flow chart, fishbone diagram and Pareto analysis then pointed to workflow, training and internet access as the main contributors. The key drivers were a clear definition of "timely", clear ownership and accountability for tasks, visibility, and the right information at the right time. In the second PDSA cycle the team removed ambiguity from the workflow, and documentation stabilised at an average of 81%, above target. To sustain it, they will continue EMR compliance audits, assign documentation tasks per shift and build the EMR refresher into onboarding for every new clinician. Complete chemotherapy orders, efficiency gains and accreditation readiness are among the benefits. Team leadership: Oyeladun Oderemi Sponsorship: Dr Oge Ilegbune Mentorship: Khadija Athman, Paul Ndung'u Team: Ajayi Toluwanimi Motunrayo, Angela Ekaette Ebong, Jimmy Ironondu Eberechukwu, Moses Damilola Oladele, Ogah Oluwafunmilayo Elizabeth, Omosuyi Ademola Folajimi, Ruth Ndukwe, Toluwanimi Aduloju, Uduak James Ntia, Amaobong Okon Bassey, Zeelu Onyey Chapters 0:00 Introduction 0:32 Problem statement 1:24 Target and baseline 1:54 Current state analysis 2:09 Root causes 2:31 Key drivers 2:57 Results 3:28 Sustain plan 4:06 Impact 4:27 Feedback and celebration This project is part of the 2026 ACQUIRE Quality Improvement-Patient Safety (QI-PS) Experiential Leadership Program, where frontline health workers across sub-Saharan Africa learn improvement science by leading real change in their own facilities. Quality takes a team! Learn more: https://acquirefrontline.org #QualityImprovement #PatientSafety #Oncology #EMR #Nigeria #ACQUIRE