MP 150 Introduction To Electronic Health Records

Question Clinical Activity: Benefits Of EHR Identify the electronic health record (EHR) used at your practicum site. Interview multiple users of the EHR. Ensure you interview people from three different departments to discover what benefits they receive from using the EHR. What effect do the users see with patient care? Develop a concept map outlining the pros and cons of the current system for both staff and patients. Answer Electronic health record (EHR) is critical today due to the need to deliver quality health care. The use of EHR can be seen in many hospitals including the practicum site. The reason for the utilization of the EHR is the benefits and the merits it offers over other health records systems. However, the EHR also has some demerits. One of the benefits of EHR is improved patient care. EHR helps in the facilitation of improved patient care by allowing quick access to patient records from the various departments such as the inpatient and remote locations thus allowing coordinated and efficient care (“The Benefits of Electronic Health Records (EHRs)”, 2015). It also supports informed decision making through the different features such as clinical reminders, alerts, and medical information. Another benefit of EHR has improved care coordination. It can integrate health information and facilitate quick distribution of information to all the authorized individuals (Menachemi & Collum, 2011). For instance, the alerts can inform physicians about the patient care thus enabling them to participate in the patient care whenever they are required. The various benefits of the EHR lead to the realization of several effects on patient care. They include increased patient-physician trust, improved patient participation in the treatment process, improved patient care, and quality patient care. Therefore, EHR is essential in hospitals. Advantages Of EHR EHR enables quick access to information thus promoting coordinated and efficient care (“What are the advantages of electronic health records?”, 2014). Unlike paper-based health records, EHR has several features that can enhance the retrieval of information. For instance, a user can perform a search query to get a particular result and filter the result to ensure that only the relevant and required information is displayed. It also fosters privacy and security (“What are the advantages of electronic health records?”, 2014). For instance, the systems can use passwords and usernames to authenticate users thus limiting the data access to authorized users only. In addition, the data transfer can utilize tools such as data encryption to ensure that only the person with the decryption key has access to the information. Therefore, this is an advantage over paper-based health records. Disadvantages Of EHR One of the disadvantages of EHR is the loss of data due to poorly managed systems and system malfunctions (“Advantages, disadvantages of electronic medical records”, 2009). For instance, viruses that can compromise the data may infect the computer. In addition, people with ill intentions can hack into the system thus exposing the data or interfering with the stored data. Another disadvantage of the EHR is the need to keep the system updated to ensure it meets the needs of the hospital (“Advantages, disadvantages of electronic medical records”, 2009). As a result, there are increased costs such as buying new software, hardware and employing Information Technology specialists to analyze the system. Besides the cost needed to keep the system up to date, some training costs may be involved to ensure the staff, and the patients get the best use of the system. Figure 1: Concept Map Electronic health records are important in the delivery of quality health care. As discussed, the practicum site uses EHR to provide quality care. The benefits from the EHR include promotion of health care delivery and improved care coordination. The advantages include quick access to information and offer privacy and security. However, it has some demerits such as loss of data and increased costs. However, despite the demerits, EHR is beneficial and advantageous over other health records management systems. References Advantages, disadvantages of electronic medical records. (2009). bctv.org – Community Media for Berks County and Reading, Pa.. Retrieved 16 April 2017, from https://www.bctv.org/special_reports/health/advantages-disadvantages-of-electronic-medical-records/article_3cc6ae5e-d46d-11de-b132-001cc4c03286.html Menachemi, N., & Collum,. (2011). Benefits and drawbacks of electronic health record systems. Risk Management And Healthcare Policy, 47. https://dx.doi.org/10.2147/rmhp.s12985 The Benefits of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). (2015). Healthit.gov. Retrieved 16 April 2017, from https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/benefits-electronic-health-records-ehrs What are the advantages of electronic health records? | FAQs | Providers & Professionals | HealthIT.gov. (2014). Healthit.gov. Retrieved 16 April 2017, from https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/faqs/what-are-advantages-electronic-health-records

MP 150 Introduction To Electronic Health Records

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