Patient/Consumer - When comparing electronic health records (EHRs) and traditional health records, less errors are seen with EHRs. A significant improvement in communication is also developed among physicians, providing each physician with the capability and access to a patient's entire medical history, allowing for physicians to quickly and properly diagnose a patient. Additionally, all physicians involved in the care of the patient are provided the necessary tools through electronic health records to ensure follow-up care is scheduled for the patient. Current exams, previous exams, and any other procedural aspects of a patient's medical condition can also be retrieved and analyzed directly from an electronic health record. More importantly, electronic health records saves time, which is extremely important in emergency situations, providing the necessary medical information on the patient to ensure that physicians are able to exert all efforts possible to save the life of the patient. Furthermore, electronic health records are greatly beneficial in situations of natural disasters and/or catastrophic events, such as in the Hurricane Katrina disaster. In a natural disaster, electronic health records provide the capability to retrieve the medical information once an organization is rebuilt and operating under normal conditions.
Health Provider/Care Team - Through the use of electronic health records, the health care team is able to retrieve health information such as blood type, allergies, and any other related information, from any location and any computer. In addition, the health information is the most-up-to-date, from the information that has been inputted into the EHR at that specific time. Information to include recent test results, diagnoses and recommended treatments allows for the entire health care team to provide the best quality care for the patient. Efficiency is also a significant aspect of the electronic health record, which greatly enhances the process of being able to transfer patient data to other health care providers located in other departments throughout medical facilities nationwide. An additional benefit is the reduction in medical errors as a result of electronic health records. Furthermore, the organizations utilizing electronic health records has demonstrated that this system can successfully eliminate the loss and misplacement of patient files. Electronic health records have also proved to increase the patient's health safety.
Department/Organization - Electronic health records is such a powerful tool in the health industry, providing positive improvement in both the population and public community. The improvements are made through the efficient collection of data which has the capability of being shared within a health organization, as well as other health organizations outside the immediate health industry. The use of electronic health records equips physicians with the access to submit syndromic surveillance data, immunization registries, and laboratory tests outside the health organization such as to public health officials. With quality data retrieved from electronic health systems, public health officials are provided with the necessary information required to improve the monitoring, prevention, and management of disease. In addition, electronic health records provide health organizations with the health information required to make improvements in a meaningful way. Meaningful use can expound on its current operating procedures, with the intent to enhance relations with public health officials through communication and collaboration improvements.
Community/Population - The revolution of health information technology in the health industry is extraordinary, enhancing the communication within our communities and our country. With the use of advanced information technology, safety issues, epidemic detection, and the overall improvement of a patient's health care, concerns are able to be addressed. Electronic health record systems have the capability of providing important information to ensure patients are informed of any matters regarding their health, such as unsafe drugs and medical devices. In addition, the health industry is able to examine data of specific communicable diseases through the use of electronic health records, allowing health officials to take corrective measures in protecting the public population. Another substantial impact an electronic health record can produce, is to detect bioterrorism attacks on systems in water supplies and/or food systems. Additionally, the access to data involving the treatment of millions of patients, enables researchers to identify effective methods that can improve the system and the health of the patient. Furthermore, all personnel who have access to health information technology data are required by Federal law to ensure the privacy of an individual patient is kept confidential and secure.
Health Provider/Care Team - Through the use of electronic health records, the health care team is able to retrieve health information such as blood type, allergies, and any other related information, from any location and any computer. In addition, the health information is the most-up-to-date, from the information that has been inputted into the EHR at that specific time. Information to include recent test results, diagnoses and recommended treatments allows for the entire health care team to provide the best quality care for the patient. Efficiency is also a significant aspect of the electronic health record, which greatly enhances the process of being able to transfer patient data to other health care providers located in other departments throughout medical facilities nationwide. An additional benefit is the reduction in medical errors as a result of electronic health records. Furthermore, the organizations utilizing electronic health records has demonstrated that this system can successfully eliminate the loss and misplacement of patient files. Electronic health records have also proved to increase the patient's health safety.
Department/Organization - Electronic health records is such a powerful tool in the health industry, providing positive improvement in both the population and public community. The improvements are made through the efficient collection of data which has the capability of being shared within a health organization, as well as other health organizations outside the immediate health industry. The use of electronic health records equips physicians with the access to submit syndromic surveillance data, immunization registries, and laboratory tests outside the health organization such as to public health officials. With quality data retrieved from electronic health systems, public health officials are provided with the necessary information required to improve the monitoring, prevention, and management of disease. In addition, electronic health records provide health organizations with the health information required to make improvements in a meaningful way. Meaningful use can expound on its current operating procedures, with the intent to enhance relations with public health officials through communication and collaboration improvements.
Community/Population - The revolution of health information technology in the health industry is extraordinary, enhancing the communication within our communities and our country. With the use of advanced information technology, safety issues, epidemic detection, and the overall improvement of a patient's health care, concerns are able to be addressed. Electronic health record systems have the capability of providing important information to ensure patients are informed of any matters regarding their health, such as unsafe drugs and medical devices. In addition, the health industry is able to examine data of specific communicable diseases through the use of electronic health records, allowing health officials to take corrective measures in protecting the public population. Another substantial impact an electronic health record can produce, is to detect bioterrorism attacks on systems in water supplies and/or food systems. Additionally, the access to data involving the treatment of millions of patients, enables researchers to identify effective methods that can improve the system and the health of the patient. Furthermore, all personnel who have access to health information technology data are required by Federal law to ensure the privacy of an individual patient is kept confidential and secure.