Advantages And Disadvantages Of Electronic Records

There are two types of recording information, these are manual and electronic. There are security issues with both, security of electronic data/info has to be kept up to date and passwords changed regularly to help to stop unauthorised access, this also needs to be kept up to date regularly. There should also be a back up disk which should also have the same kind of security that paperwork has. Manually recording/storage should be kept in a secure place with access only to those that need it, this may be in a locked cupboard that the manager has the key for and you have to ask and sign for the use of. This also needs to be kept up to date and legible, if people cant read what is being put then this could have serious consequences for the service user.

In the medical field there have been a lot of technological advances and making health records electronic is one of them. The days of having a paper health record are almost obsolete. An electronic health record keeps a patient’s medical information and history on a computer which is accessible to more people in less time. I will explain how the continuity, communication, coordination and accountability of the electronic health record can help the medical office. I will explain what can be included in the electronic health record. As an advocate of the electronic health record I will also explain some disadvantages to the electronic system.

Kreps and Neuhauser (2010) reviewed significant communication concerns included in the model of efficient and humane eHealth applications to assist in directing strategic implementation and development of health information technologies. The article described the communication transformation developing in the creation of a wide-range of new eHealth applications, which included the electronic health record (Kreps & Neuhauser, 2010). The adoption, implementation, and development of a wide range of new eHealth applications have the potential to improve the quality of care patients receive, increase provider and patient access to pertinent health information, decrease healthcare mistakes, encourage acceptance of a healthy lifestyle and increase collaboration among healthcare providers (Kreps & Neuhauser, 2010). The conclusions from this article emphasized the importance of creating applications that are interoperable, easy to use, appealing, accessible, and communicate the correct information needed to yield the best possible patient care (Kreps & Neuhauser, 2010).

The choice on how to keep records can depend on the organisation size and resources and should be in line with the business needs. Some organisations might choose a mix of manual and electronic methods, keeping some hardcopy of important documents like photocopies of ID/Passports.

The purpose of this paper is to review and summarize the literature on the pros and cons of electronic health record systems. This paper describes the many benefits of electronic health record systems, which include but are not limited to, less paperwork, increased quality of care, financial incentives, and increased efficiency and productivity. Organizational outcomes and societal benefits are also addressed. Despite the tremendous amount of benefits, studies in the literature highlight potential disadvantages of electronic health record systems. These disadvantages include privacy and security concerns, identity theft, data loss, financial issues, and changes in workflow, involving a temporary loss of productivity. Preventative measures that can be taken are addressed as well. Overall, people believe that the benefits of electronic health records can be realized when they are used correctly, and proper measures are taken to reduce any potential drawbacks.

The Inner City Clinic is experiencing problems with medication prescribing errors and seeks a resolution to this problem through use of electronic medical records and registration medication reconciliation. The Institute of Medicine reports in the work entitled "Preventing Medication Errors" that the "average hospitalized patient is subject to at least one medication per day. This is reported to confirm previous research findings that medication errors represent the "most common patient safety error." (Barnsteiner, nd, p.1) Medication reconciliation is described as follows:

A patient records whether it is electronic, as a EHR or a paper record contains sensitive, personal, and private information about the patient and should not disclosed to any unauthorized individual, as well as used unwarrantedly. (Mir, May-June, 2011). Healthcare organizations, such as United General Hospital should have instructions for staff to follow in regards to handing and accessing patient records. In updating the management training manual for United General Hospital, it is required that all authorized staff abide the instructions while handling and accessing patient records. Upon handling and accessing patient records all required and authorized staff based on “a need to see basics” and for medical treatment and financial purposes

As per the results obtained in the national survey of doctors revealed the following key information:

The two main methods of storage are manual and electronic, both methods having their own benefits. The data can be used for analysis to assist the organisation fulfil its future goals and overall vision. All data must be stored in such a way that it complies with the regulations put in place by the government. This not only protects the organisation, but each and every member of the public.

Electronic Health Records should not be enforced in all medical settings In recent years, almost every major industry has invested greatly in technology. As we become more reliant on technology, we are able to complete our routine tasks faster, such as a simple doctor’s visit or contacting a Physician through email. Recent laws have enforced the expansion of Electronic Health records throughout the country. It’s important for society to be aware of the changes being made to our current health care system and learn how it will affect us in the near future.

The electronic healthcare record system is a new form of technology that help nurses and doctors with their jobs every day. Electronic healthcare records, or EHRs, are a digital record of patient’s medical history from many different hospitals or clinics (Huston, 2013). Arizona College (2015) claims that “ by 2013, eighty percent of hospitals have implemented the use of EHRs for accessing, processing, and storing patient information”. People rely on these medical records to be at every hospital or clinic they go to and the EHRs make it possible. “The EHR is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week and has a built in safeguard to assure patient health information confidentiality and security” (Huston, 2013). This 24 hour access allows all nurses

When walking into a doctor’s office, are nurses taking your information manually or electronically? Although, some offices still use paper records, many are making the transition to Electronic Medical Records. Electronic Medical Records is a digital form of medical records. New technology is developed every day and Electronic Medical Records are simply a way to make offices more efficient. Electronic Medical Records helps offices in many ways. They are easy to access, reduce storage, improve accuracy, and reduce cost. Electronic Medical Records are more convenient and easy to manage within a provider’s office.

The electronic record although it is based on an evolving concept oriented philosophy that provides improved healthcare quality, the patient should not deny the “right” of the medical professional to be informed when needed and to safeguard this. For this reason, it is necessary to establish an appropriate legislative framework so that all the necessary procedures and actions to be taken conform to the law as it applies locally and in the European Union. Such considerations include electronic processing and collection of personal data of the citizen, and the movement both within their state borders and cross-border. Because of prejudgment that might arise in the patient, there is a great chance not to disclose some important and necessary information

The medical field is moving to another level when it comes to technology, with the implementation of Electronic Health Records, also known by the acronym, EHR. The new system that allows medical records to be maintained electronically, by the internet is making waves. The government has even put incentive programs into place, as extra encouragement to providers. The adaptation to Electronic Health Records has been anything but smooth, as many medical practices have been reluctant and some just afraid to try something new. Concerns will continue to arise until the medical world has an understanding of the privacy and security rules that follow the new technology. Electronic Health Records has and will continue to prove itself as an asset, a convenience, efficient, helpful, and more, as some will continue to shy away from the change. Electronic Health Records will prove that it is “meaningful”, falling under the category of “meaningful use.”

These principles include “accountability, transparency, integrity, protection, compliance, availability, retention and disposal” (library.ahima.org). There should be a member of senior leadership that is overall responsible for the information governance within their organization and should be held liable for any issues that may arise. There should be posted procedures on how to handle information throughout the entire lifecycle. The information should be authentic and reliable. The information must be secure from unauthorized use. All laws and policies from the organizational level to the federal level should be followed. Workers should be able to access the information as required for their job. The organization should maintain information for the period specified by law or policy. When information is outside of its retention point, it should be disposed of in a manner that is consistent with applicable regulations. If these principles are followed, there should be no issues with information