Conversion to Electronic Health Records Essay

After decades of paper based medical records, a new type of record keeping has surfaced - the Electronic Health Record (EHR). EHR is an electronic or digital format concept of an individual’s past and present medical history. It is the principle storage place for data and information about the health care services provided to an individual patient. It is maintained by a provider over time and capable of being shared across different healthcare settings by network-connected information systems. Such records may include key administrative and clinical data relevant to that persons care under a particular provider. Examples of such records may include: demographics, physician notes, problems or injuries, medications and allergies, vital

An electronic health record (EHR) defines as the permissible patient record created in hospitals that serve as the data source for all health records. It is an electronic version of a paper chart that includes the patient’s medical history, maintained by the provider over time, and may include all of the key administrative clinical data relevant to that persons care. Information that is readily available includes information such as demographics, progress notes, allergies, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data, & radiology reports. The intent of an EHR can be understood as a complete record of patient

Moving to an EHR can be difficult and the advantages may be unclear and the disadvantages may seem immense. The EHR is an electronic version of a patient’s medical history, maintained by the provider over time, and includes all administrative, clinical data relevant to that persons care under a particular provider, including demographics, diagnosis, progress notes, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, lab and radiology reports. (CMS.gov, 2011). The principle object here is

An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a real time digital version of a patient’s paper chart that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users. EHR contain a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory and test results. Allow access to evidence-based

Electronic health records (EHRs): Medical records are now kept in an electronic versus a paper chart. All health information regarding past and current medical history, treatment plans, and medications are kept in the EHR. The system also allows sharing of medical information from provider to provider as needed. Many HER systems have a feature to allow patients to log into a patient portal to review lab results, diagnostic tests, plans of care, and email access to the provider

Lastly, Electronic Health Records increases the efficiency of the medical practice. EHRs are more efficient because they reduce redundant paperwork and have the capability of interfacing with a billing program that submits claims electronically. It also improves medical practice management through scheduling systems that link appointment directly to progress notes, automated coding, and managed claims and many other shortcuts. In a survey done on Doctors, 79 % of providers said with EHRs, their practice functions more efficiently (HealthIT.gov). Communication with other clinician, insurance providers, pharmacies and diagnostic center is faster and trackable. The increase in communication cuts down on lost of messages and follow-up calls. In addition, the communication of information between several health agencies also prevents the patient from needing to repeated examination. Because EHRs contain all of the patient’s health information in one place, it is less likely that

Electronic Medical Records & Access, this gives the ability to have past records of patients for long term and easily access from any place whereas paper based document and can be loss or not able to get it when it’s needed. Ensuring that the EHR is as adopted as other clinical applications can greatly impact the patient experience, including; patient registration, records management, and information infrastructure systems. As Roham et al points out, many healthcare providers are still in early staging of implementing an EHR and if not completely installed can have a negative impact on patient satisfaction metrics(2014, p. 134)11.

Even if they haven 't converted their paper-based records system to an electronic health record (EHR), every physician who is aware of any medical acronyms has heard of EHR. The EHR technology helps practices maintain digital files detailing patient histories, chart notes, treatment records, past and current medications – including adverse events and allergies – and images and lab results. People also associate the term “EHR” with capabilities such as rapid file sharing, robust security and 24/7 access to files from any where because a practice can establish authorized access to files with external partners, such as hospitals, out-patient clinics, specialists and other healthcare networks.

Use of an EHR benefits patients and their families or caregivers, clinicians and the organizations that use them. Our Week 4 Lesson reminds us of the benefits of EHR has to make easier access to information and the potential to simplify clinician workflow (CCN, 2016). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid report the many benefits and disadvantages of the implementation and utilization of the Electronic Health Record. These advantages, “the ability to support other care-related activities directly and indirectly through various interfaces, including evidence-based decision support, quality management and outcomes reporting as well as data accessibility and timeliness will enable providers to make better decisions and provide better care (CMS.gov, 2012). The

Slide 11: Human errors, such as medication errors or allergy errors, are minimized with alerts on the electronic health record. The electronic health record has shown to reduce the number of missing charts (82%), and improves data accessibility to patient records and documentation remotely (75%) (Narisi, 2013). By eliminating paper charting, the EHR makes all patient’s data and information available at all times to all physicians. The EHR improves patient care delivery by reducing the error of hand-written orders and allows for other physicians to access the order. This is great for when the doctor orders a medication to start stat, and puts the order into the EHR, so the nurse can start the medication right away (Palma, 2013).

The utilization of electronic health records (EHR) has become increasingly common in the inpatient hospital setting and outpatient care. EHRs benefit the physician, patient, and healthcare facility. Historically, electronic records were not in place for healthcare organizations, and currently, it helps the organization in several ways instead of using paper. Patients have access to their medical records and history, which gives them readily available information about their health. Proper implementation of an EHR system results in higher patient satisfaction. The benefits of EHRs significantly improve the care experience for patients physically and mentally. Additionally, patient care is improved because the patient can leave their doctor’s office with a complete copy of their medical record. While inpatient and outpatient care has several similarities, there are also many differences, as well as challenges with both healthcare setting with implementing the EHR.

Electronic health records (EHRs) are an electronic version of a patient’s medical history (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2012). The development of EHRs has created a world of opportunity for helping to increase patient involvement, sharing patient data among providers for quality of care improvement and more. However, beginning to use an EHR is no simple task and requires extensive research and planning to find the best options for individual organizations. This essay will explore various complexities of EHRs, workflow analysis and redesign, as well as the benefits of patient portals that are accessible through EHRs.

Electronic medical records often used interchangeably with the term electronic health records are potential systems that are being used to not only transform the way healthcare is being delivered, but to promote the quality of care of patients while creating less medical errors. In recent years electronic health records (EHR) has evolved its concept as a systematic collection of electronic health information about patients or populations. While most hospitals continue to use paper-based records others seem to be jumping on the bandwagon of implementing these technology systems within their practices. The information stated in this paper will explain the advantages and disadvantages of EMR and EHR health systems. The benefits of these systems will create betterment for the future of healthcare.

Being able to have important health information constitutes simpler updates and exchanges of patient records. This is significantly aided by the introduction of an electronic health record (EHR) technology. These systems enable patient information to become available almost instantly when needed for providers and patients. At the present moment medical providers as well as hospitals and numerous facilities currently use some type of an electronic health record technology to monitor, document, and send date regarding their patients' health which can improve health care making it more effective and efficient.

EHR in its simplest form is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. EHRs have been defined as “real-time, patient-centered records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users”[19]. It can allow patient information to be more easily shared between clinicians in different organisations, such as between ???, thus improving patient safety and clinicians’ decision-making.[20, 21] EHR can be combined with an electronic prescribing system, which can provide clinical decision support to physicians in the form of highlighting tests that are abnormal and advising on the ordering of specific drugs for the patient.