Getting Successful Universal Ehr Is Not Just Technology Selection

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) states that in order to realize meaningful use of the EHR technology, healthcare providers are obliged to apply the technology in a approach that enriches quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare delivery; ebbs healthcare inconsistencies; involves patients and families; enriches care coordination; expands population and public health; and guarantees sufficient privacy and security guards for personal health information. (U.S Department of Health and

The adoption of EHR has been slower than expected (Gans 1323). With numerous systems available, it is particularly difficult for a smaller practice to identify which system best meets its needs. Other notable challenges for some practices include assumption of the capital investment as well as managerial responsibilities associated with the IT infrastructure. A common implementation challenge encountered is the lack of a universal vision and definition of EHR. Since there are multiple interpretations of the definition of EHR and attendant requirements, identifying current and future needs is a complex process for potential users. Short term limited ability systems will eventually become obsolete as there is a move toward more global EHR systems. On June 18,

EHR was created to have a technical way to securely exchange private and personal medical health information in hopes to improve the quality of care, decrease medical errors, limiting paper use, reduction of health care cost, and increasing a person access to affordable health care. A mandate was created for EHR stating that health records can be accessible to all facilities with patients having the capability to access their own health records at any time. Ameliorating the quality and convenience of care given to a patient, allow for cost saving measures, engage the patient and family to participate in their care, improve accuracy of medical diagnosis, and enhance the efficiency of the overall outcome of the patients’ health.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act made an investment in the year 2009 to encourage the adoption and implementation of the electronic health records (EHRs)(Cite). EHRs incentive payments were authorized through Medicare and Medicaid to clinicians and hospitals when they privately and securely used EHRs for achieving improvements in care delivery by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH). The healthcare organizations are expected to demonstrate meaningful use of EHRs. This rule of meaningful use has been implemented to strike a balance between acknowledging the urgency of adopting EHRs for improving the healthcare system and identifying the challenges that would be put forth

First, the process of acquiring a new EHR system will start with developing an office strategy based on different needs of our clinic. Some critical questions should be asked such as what would be the main goal to go paperless, what would be some features that my clinicians regard important, would my practitioners need a remote access, or would they be committed in learning and using

In the recent years, EHR implementation has been one of the biggest change that occurred in the health care delivery system. The adoption of EHR system which aims to improve the quality of healthcare, however, has met a lot of issues and barriers that are detrimental to its success. Thus, for any healthcare organization to achieve a favorable outcome after the EHR implementation, numerous factors have to be examined. Merrill (2010) has listed down the top ten factors for a successful EHR adoption. It includes right leadership, shared vision, right culture, governance, physicians, nurses and key stakeholders are engaged early and accountable to lead the clinical transformation, resources, clinical content standardization, realistic timelines and expectations, effective training and communication plan, and right vendor partnership relationship.

EHRs adoption is an essential part of improving patient safety and the quality of health care by reducing errors, allowing access to complete and accurate medical information to produce better patient outcomes. Although, it seems like a win/win situation there are still some challenges that appear when implementing an EHR. Some challenges would be Time, Cost, Work- Flow Distribution, Security/Privacy, and Interoperability just to name few. Interoperability is defined as the ability of a computer system or software to exchange or make use of information, which can create a major issue for any organization if these systems are not communicating properly. Security and Privacy are always a concern because implementing HIPAA measures is not an easy task. Not only do you have to comply with the federal level organization still need to recognize state laws which can often be more stringent. Especially, when you need to cover areas such as mental health, drug and alcohol services, genetic testing, HIV, and family planning issues. Change management would be enacted to overcome any issues involving process change resistance. It is a methodical approach and application of knowledge that use tools and resources to deal with this type of change. Methodologies would

Over the previous eight years, there has been a significant investment of private and public funds to upsurge the adoption of Electronic health records (EHRs) across the nation. The extensive adoption and “meaningful use” of electronic health records is a national priority. EHRs come in various forms and can be utilized in distinct organizations, as interoperating systems in allied health care units, on a regional level, or nationwide. The benefit of utilizing an EHR depends heavily on provider’s uptake on technology. Benefits related to electronic health records are numerous and may have clinical, organizational and societal outcomes. However, challenges in implementing electronic health records has attained some attention, the implementation

Resistance towards EHR systems tends to run high among physicians. The increase in the adoption of EHR in health systems has its challenges and concerns. Many physicians complain of negative impact on workflow, productivity disruption, and most importantly the physician-patient relationship. Earnest et al. (2004) concluded that physicians’ had initially thought information technology would be an obstacle to their workflow. Also, federal mandates with deadlines have created an environment where many physician practices have adopted an EHR strictly for compliance without any thought to the ongoing needs of the system (Porter, 2015). The EHRs that were quickly brought to market have been the source of ongoing frustrations and issues since they had the sole purpose of meeting

EHRs have potential in recuperating patient safety. EHRs are efficient as they do not require doctors to use paper records, which in turn result in healthier individuals (Staggers, Weir and Phansalkar, 2008). Furthermore, Canada and many other countries around the globe have invested in EHRs due to the advantages for patient safety. Moreover, EHRs have its advantages, but there are also evident disadvantages, such as financial costs, patient safety, and medical errors (Sparnon and Marella,

With so many EHR systems to choose from I am sure it could easily be overwhelming. This is a very important decision to make as it determines how efficient a medical practice will be. The first rule of important decision making applies- be informed and, be specific to your healthcare facilities needs. Anytime you are gathering research, expect to spend the time and effort it takes to go through the planning process. It is best to establish the objectives and then plan how to the implemented EHR's will affect work-flows. EHR systems are very expensive and it is best to know what you are looking for in an EHR so that you are not trapped into buying something that doesn't meet your needs. As you are formulating your offices detailed needs a list has been created of

If you don’t have EHR in the first year of this plan, which is 2009, there will be a penalty. The penalty that has been enforced, is that the EP’s Medicare physician fee schedule amount that covers professional services will be adjusted down by 1% each year. If less than 75% of healthcare providers are using EHR by 2018, then the rate will go from 1% to a maximum of 5%. Healthcare providers should not be penalized for not using EHR. Changing from paper to electronic can cost healthcare providers a lot of money which they might not have. Also, it would take a few days to set up the equipment and teach people how to use it. With Electronic Health Records patient information can be prone to be hacked by anyone. Since it is electronic HIPAA would have to enforce new laws to help protect patients information if problems arise from EHRs. Healthcare providers should get the opportunity to choose whether they want EHRs in their office or not. I think that only big hospitals should be forced to apply Electronic Health Records to their facility because all hospitals in the United States have a big involvement with technology and it would be an easy

Unfortunately, for the United States we always tend to lag behind everyone else in our health IT. While other countries are in complete use of EMRs and EHRs we are still working on our implementation. “To Date, it is estimated that only 20% of doctors and 10% of hospitals currently use EHRs” (Cullen, 2011). We have seen some doctors and hospitals implement EHRs letting us know it is developed enough to be successful.

An interoperable EHR system will foster faster, quality and more efficient care by allowing clinicians and physicians’ access to the individual’s medical record in its entirety. It will proffer research, new best practices, and pharmaceutical suggestions to treat the patient based on their symptoms and illnesses (Commission on Systemic Interoperability, 2005). It is prudent to follow certain processes such as initiating, planning, executing, closing, monitoring and controlling processes in order to implement the EHR properly.

Many healthcare professionals and HIM professionals have high expectations that the use of health information technology, such as EHRs, will ameliorate the most complex problem in healthcare: how to provide high quality care to as many as possible for the lowest cost. While there is some evidence that EHRs can make some positive effects on each of these measures, acceptance of these complex systems is highly variable. (Sligo, 2017; Li, 2013) Ongoing evaluation of the EHR is crucial to ensure that the information system is highly effective at meeting the needs of the health