The Importance Of Electronic Health Records In Canada

In 2009 the federal government established The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) and supported the national implementation of certified Electronic Health Records (EHRs); funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid’s (CMSs) ‘Meaningful Use’ Incentive program. “An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is an electronic version of a patient’s medical history, that is maintained by the provider over time, and may include all of the key administrative, clinical data relevant to that persons care under a particular provider, including demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports.” (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2012) The purpose of the EHR is to manage and automate clinical workflows and to improve the quality of care by eliminating

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 purpose of this paper is to discuss the electronic health record mandate. Who started it and when? I will discuss the goals of the mandate. I will discussion will how the Affordable Care Act ties into the mandate of Electronic Health Record. It will describe my own facility’s EHR and what steps are been taken to implement it. I will describe the term “meaningful use,” and it will discuss possible threats to patient confidentiality and the what’s being done by my facility to prevent Health Information and Portability Accountability Act or HIPAA violations.

The purpose of this discussion board is to describe the Electronic Health Record (EHR), the six steps of an EHR and how my facility implements them, describe “meaningful use” and how my facility status is in obtaining it, and to further discuss the EHR’s and patient confidentiality.

We live in an era where we are more dependent on technology and want an enhanced access to health care system in Canada. Though not having full access to EHRs might be the barriers for many people in different areas in Canada. Some could have issues concerning about losing their medical documents, and it can diminish the waiting time in hospitals or even health clinics as well(Wiljer, 2008). Electronic Health Record systems, have the high chance of making the health care system better and that uses medical and other important information to support providers in achieving better care to

Although the general population has concerns about who has the ability to access their medical records, data has been put into place showed that the general population knows that having an EHR would be beneficial (Thede, 2010). Research has suggested that patients, providers and insurance companies have benefited from EHRs because insurance companies do not have to pay for duplicate testing as well as patients and providers having the ability to increase the quality of care that is provider (Thede, 2010). Not to mention, the patients aren’t pained to have to remember every detail of the history when visiting various specialist (Thede, 2010). Moreover, EHR can increase medical staff efficiency and reduce errors, and keeping adverse drug events from happening (Bill to promote electronic health records proposed, 2008).

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

Therefore, several authors share some of the same ideas as to what some of the barriers faced during the transition to Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and if these barriers still exist once the transition to a full EHR system is complete. Herrick, et al., 2010, states that currently, there is no hard-core evidence to support the argument that Electronic Health Record (EHRs) and Health Information Technology is the best route for health organizations to prevent errors. In fact, the use of such technology could potentially lead to errors if information incorrectly entered in the system and Haupt, 2011, statement that smart software could help to prevent life-threatening errors better when administering medicines. Whereas, Boonstra & Broekhuis, 2010, states from a physician point a view need the understanding of the possible barriers that faced during implementation of EHRs because there a tremendous amount of literature on the obstacles but no suggestion on how to resolve these barriers have not been viewed. Barriers such as, financial on great startup and ongoing cost, technical and time to train staff and how much knowledge do they have with computer skills and psychological when support needed from vendors, etc. It suggests that once those barriers have been ironed out and a plan has set in place, then the transition from paper documentation to Electronic Health Records (EHRs) may go a lot easier for the healthcare arena physician, nurses and administrative

In the modern world technology is everywhere and it affects everyone’s daily life. People are constantly attached to cell phones, laptops, and other electronics, which all have affected how people live their lives. Technology is also a large part of the healthcare system today. There are many electronics and technologies that are used in health care, such as electronic health record, medication bar code scanning, electronic documentation, telenursing, and there are many more forms of technology that impact nursing. One technology that stands out is the electronic health record. The electronic health record, also referred to as EHR, is an electronic version of a patient’s chart, and it contains is a list of the patient’s current medications, allergies, laboratory results, diagnoses, immunization dates, images, treatments, and medical history (“Learn EHR Basics,” 2014). The purpose of the electronic health record is to have a patient’s health care record available to health care providers nationwide, but the patient can decide who has access to their record (Edwards, Chiweda, Oyinka, McKay, & Wiles, 2011). The electronic health record is a very important technology in health care and it impacts nurses, nursing care, and has a significant impact on patient outcomes.

Electronic health records are basically the new way of storing and organizing patient’s medical information. EHR patient files are divided into sections where healthcare providers and the staff can find the information they need so they can provide the care for the patients. It’s basically a digital format or documentation often individuals medical history that is maintained by healthcare providers or health institutions just similar to the paperwork but it’s more efficient it’s easier to use it’s more organized also includes information on patients, demographics, medications, allergies, vital signs, patients notes, patients history whether its medical or just history in general diagnosis. The purpose of its easier to find a record and that

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.

Office of Health and the Information Highway, Health Canada (2001). Toward Electronic Health Records p. 1-20.

In 2009, one of the largest US initiatives to date put place under Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act was electronic health records. The main initiative of this act was to encourage widespread use of electronic medical records also known as EHR. EHRs are defined as “a longitudinal electronic record of patient health information generated by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting. (Menachmi, 2011) Government continues to incentivize the industry with new healthcare objectives based around quality and technology. One can only think that the basis of these initiatives start with the electronic medical records as the foundation. The implementation of electronic medical records can result in many

One of the many new trends in health care is electronic health records. Electronic health records is exactly what it says, it’s basically the paper chart the doctor would use on each of your visits in the past. Most of the time now days if you go to the doctor the doctor puts all the info you tell him on the computer. Because of electronic health records we have both positive and negative impacts on society, a major political issue with electronic health records is the chance of a data breach which just happened recently here in Corsicana with me being one of the people affected. Electronic health records affect society both short term and long term. Otherwise in one way or another electronic health records will affect everyone at one point

“An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. EHRs are real-time, patient-centered records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users.” (healthit.gov) The EHR mandate was created “to share information with other health care providers and organizations – such as laboratories, specialists, medical imaging facilities, pharmacies, emergency facilities, and school and workplace clinics – so they contain information from all clinicians involved in a patient’s care.” ("Providers & Professionals | HealthIT.gov", n.d., p. 1) The process has proved to be quite challenging for providers. As an