Electronic Personal Health Record Analysis

Shah, J. R., Murtaza, M. B., & Opara, E. (2014). Electronic health records: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of International Technology and Information Management, 23(3/4), 189-204. Retrieved from http://scholarwork.lib.csusb.edu

Along with the new technologies applying in healthcare, the documentation processes and storages also change from paper charts to computer-based electronic health records (EHR). Many healthcare organizations currently maintain patients’ health records in both formats of paper and electronic. The combination is known as hybrid health record system, which is used to assist in different methods that patients’ information is collected. Hybrid health records (HHR) contain specific patients’ health information. HHRs are stored manually and electronically in multiple places. Current patients’ health records usually contain both digital documents and handwritten notes. Patients’ data are electronically stored, such as laboratory, radiology tests,

According to the Healthcare Information Management and Systems Society (HIMSS), “Personal health records (PHRs) are consumer-centric tools that individuals can use to communicate with their health care providers to manage their own health and health care” (as cited in Kim & Nahm, 2012). Moreover, it is the patient who controls, updates, reviews data and information that is entered into the PHRs, except when an integrated PHR-EHR system is involved. There are barriers to employing a PHR such as data accuracy and data privacy and security.

Bowles, Potashnik, Ratcliffe, Rosenberg, Shih, Topaz, Homes, and Naylor (2013) intended to explain solutions, implications and difficulties related to semantic harmonization, while performing research utilizing electronic health record data from four hospitals. The method utilized was unidentified data from variables collected from about 1200 nursing admission assessments and documentation of patients throughout their admission in the hospital (Bowles et al., 2013). Findings from the study consisted of challenges with working with electronic health records from three different sites. The sites were found to have various versions of the electronic health record, different customization policies, and user interface features varied (Bowles et al., 2013). The conclusion of the study was through awareness of the outcomes of customization, differences in user interface and documentation policies, barriers may be prevented (Bowles et al., 2013).

“The electronic health record is a secure, real-time, point-of-care, patient centric information resource for clinicians” (Davis & LaCour, 2014, p. 71). The electronic health record can be viewed by several different caregivers at a time in different locations. A paper record is only accessible where the patient is being treated. The electronic record has a secured password in order to gain access to the information on the computer. Caregivers are able to have immediate access to past medical history such as lab results, previous problem list, medications, and hospitalizations.

Electronic health records are generated by healthcare providers and include patient’s medical and health information, which may include demographic data, progress notes, medications, vital signs, medical history, immunizations and laboratory data. EHRs are not accessible by patients, but usually certain data is made available through a patient portal. On the other hand, a personal health record is owned and controlled by a patient, and has information that is not on a medical record. A patient portal allows patients to access their PHR and usually information from an EHR (Emont, 2011).

The Electronic Medical Record, or "EMR," is a digital version of the paper charts in a hospital or physician's clinic. The Electronic Medical Record is capable of storing all of the patient's medical history, both past and present. Prior to the creation and implementation of the EMR, all physicians were on paper records. EMR's are far superior to paper records in many ways, most notable the ability to comprehensive data collection, ease of access and transferability, and transparency.

In the United States, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has mandated that all medical records be converted to an electronic format by 2015. Promises of improved availability of patient information, enhanced efficiency and cost-effectiveness are a few of the factors that have steered the need for this conversion. Successful implementation of Electronic Health Records involves collaboration, communication, financial resources, technical infrastructure and coordination. This paper will address the benefits of utilizing a Project Management Framework to ensure the successful transition into the digital arena of document management.

How many of the medical facilities do you see out there that use a paper medical record system? Do you ever wonder if there is a better way, than to fill out all that paperwork, and wait for a phone call back for missing documentation on one patient’s record? There is a better answer, and we are going to talk about it in this paper. It is called an EHR. There will be the pros and cons of both an EHR, and paper Medical Records.

An Electronic Health Record is a computerized form of a patient’s medical chart. These records allow information to be readily available to authorized providers during a patient’s encounter with the healthcare system. These systems do not only contain medical histories, current medications and insurance information, they also track patients’ diagnoses, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images and lab tests/results (source). The fundamental aspect of EHRs is that they are able to share a patient’s information quickly across service lines and even between different healthcare organizations. Information is at the fingertips of lab techs, primary care physicians, pharmacies, clinics, etc. The

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

The Personal Health Records (PHRs) are the innovative solution to the problems associated with fragmented communication and lack of interaction among the Medical Record Systems (EMRs) (Henriksen et al., 2008). It allows patients to access their healthcare data in the secure environment and increases patient 's engagement in medical care. The PHRs are also known as patient portals. They help patients in getting relevant medical data from their provider. In spite of recent policy efforts to develop the usage of health informational technologies and increase the accessibility of PHRs in different health institutions, PHR adoption level remains relatively low overall.

Personal health records (PHRs) have numerous benefits to providers and patients. The information contained in PHR systems range from home measurement reports for blood sugar levels, blood pressure and body temperature, radiology images, laboratory results and family history information (Mandl &Kohane, 2016). The acquired system will facilitate storage of health information in ways that can be comprehended by patients without special assistance from physicians. Moreover, it will provide patients with important information such as interpretation and possible course of action. Patients will take an active role in disease prevention and management. The current system should be maintained because it meets all the qualities of a good PHR system. It has already been tested and proven to function properly to the satisfaction of both patients and doctors.

At its core, a personal health record (PHR) is a computerized tool that is designed to allow patients to control, store, use, and share their personal health information. Braunstein (2014) stated that, “According to a 2010 national survey done by California Health Foundations (CHF), patient access to health data does actually improve care” (pg.81). People who have access to their medical records are more aware of their health, are more interested in their health, and are taking better care of themselves. This is an important step towards decreasing this country’s chronic illnesses, which, in return could possibly reduce medical spending. In order for personal healthcare records (PHRs) to be successful there needs to be security, privacy, and

The Personal Health Record (PHR) is a heath technology that can be used to collect and store individual health information in either paper-based or electronic form. Recent years, several similar definitions of PHR were raised by different organizations, but currently there is no universal definition of a PHR. In general, PHR is collection of individual health information that is maintained and managed by patients in an electronic application that can provide private, secure, and confidential environment 1. The main function of PHR is to exchange information between patient and health providers. Therefore, a PHR should include all relevant information of the patient. Typically, it may include the following items 2: