Introduction to Electronic Health Records
What are Electronic Health Records?
Although, there are some specific distinctions between the electronic health record and electronic medical record (EMR), Hoyt and Adler, editors of Health Informatics, have indicated that EHRs and EMRs are the same system, as well as computerized medical records (CMRs), electronic clinical information systems (ECIS) and computerized patient records (CPRs). Electronic health records is "an electronic record of health-related information on an individual that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability standards and that can be created, managed and consulted by authorized clinicians and staff across more than one healthcare organization."
Although, there are some specific distinctions between the electronic health record and electronic medical record (EMR), Hoyt and Adler, editors of Health Informatics, have indicated that EHRs and EMRs are the same system, as well as computerized medical records (CMRs), electronic clinical information systems (ECIS) and computerized patient records (CPRs). Electronic health records is "an electronic record of health-related information on an individual that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability standards and that can be created, managed and consulted by authorized clinicians and staff across more than one healthcare organization."
Why are Electronic Health Records so Important in the Health Industry?
Below are some important reasons why physicians, nurses, and health staff would strongly benefit from electronic health records:
The extensive limited access to paper records - Limited access to records, lack of information, as well as illegible handwriting.
The requirement to enhance productivity and efficiency - An electronic health record has the capability of faster access to lab results, resulting in time and money savings. An EHR also reduces the possibilities of laboratory testing duplication. In addition, lab results can be electronically transmitted through secure means such as messaging. Also, the portal is another method used in viewing lab results.
The safety and quality of care for the patient - Unclear notes written by a physician would be clarified through electronic clinical notes and the improvement in accessibility would also be a positive factor with the implementation of electronic health records. Additionally, EHRs have the capability of providing reminders about tests and routine preventative services to be performed, as well as reduce duplication of lab results. EHRs also provide information on allergies that a patient may have, the proper administering of drugs, and an electronic problem summary list that includes current diagnoses, surgeries, and allergies.
The expectations of the public population - Through the implementation of electronic health records, the public population expectations is that customer satisfaction will increase due to fewer charts being lost, prescriptions being refilled at an increased pace, and improvements in the distribution of educational material for patients.
The expectations of the government - The federal government considers electronic health records to be a stepping stone in the transformation from traditional paper records to electronic health records and as an integral part of the healthcare industry.
Financial savings - An estimated savings of $44 billion annually is projected with electronic health records established in ambulatory settings.
Advances in technology - The added features and functionalities included in laptops, personal computers, and tablets such as the improvement in speed and memory storage has been proven to be very beneficial in the implementation of electronic health records. In addition, the purchase costs continue to decrease which is also an added benefit. The capability to access medical information is also made possible due to wireless networks and a variety of mobile technologies.
The need for aggravated data - Through electronic health records, clinicians are able to retrieve quality data focusing on populations who are at an increased risk, from several sources such as in and outpatient care data, rural and urban care data, and chronic and acute data.
The need for integrated data - Through electronic health records, health organizations, providing a variety of services, are able to integrate and share health records. This process is a significant factor in the future and reformation of healthcare.
A powerful transformational tool - The transformation from paper records to electronic health records has proved to be beneficial in large organizations such as the Veterans Health Administration and Kaiser Permanente, through the use of systems such as VistA and Epic. VistA and Epic both have the capability to generate enough data to implement transformation in the practice of medicine. In addition, Kaiser Permanente's KP HealthConnect, was able to make vast modifications in their electronic health system, making improvements in the standard operating procedures, coordination, and care of the overall health of patients.
The need for coordinated care - The need for good communication between physicians, specialists, patients, and consumers is necessary to ensure quality care.
Below are some important reasons why physicians, nurses, and health staff would strongly benefit from electronic health records:
The extensive limited access to paper records - Limited access to records, lack of information, as well as illegible handwriting.
The requirement to enhance productivity and efficiency - An electronic health record has the capability of faster access to lab results, resulting in time and money savings. An EHR also reduces the possibilities of laboratory testing duplication. In addition, lab results can be electronically transmitted through secure means such as messaging. Also, the portal is another method used in viewing lab results.
The safety and quality of care for the patient - Unclear notes written by a physician would be clarified through electronic clinical notes and the improvement in accessibility would also be a positive factor with the implementation of electronic health records. Additionally, EHRs have the capability of providing reminders about tests and routine preventative services to be performed, as well as reduce duplication of lab results. EHRs also provide information on allergies that a patient may have, the proper administering of drugs, and an electronic problem summary list that includes current diagnoses, surgeries, and allergies.
The expectations of the public population - Through the implementation of electronic health records, the public population expectations is that customer satisfaction will increase due to fewer charts being lost, prescriptions being refilled at an increased pace, and improvements in the distribution of educational material for patients.
The expectations of the government - The federal government considers electronic health records to be a stepping stone in the transformation from traditional paper records to electronic health records and as an integral part of the healthcare industry.
Financial savings - An estimated savings of $44 billion annually is projected with electronic health records established in ambulatory settings.
Advances in technology - The added features and functionalities included in laptops, personal computers, and tablets such as the improvement in speed and memory storage has been proven to be very beneficial in the implementation of electronic health records. In addition, the purchase costs continue to decrease which is also an added benefit. The capability to access medical information is also made possible due to wireless networks and a variety of mobile technologies.
The need for aggravated data - Through electronic health records, clinicians are able to retrieve quality data focusing on populations who are at an increased risk, from several sources such as in and outpatient care data, rural and urban care data, and chronic and acute data.
The need for integrated data - Through electronic health records, health organizations, providing a variety of services, are able to integrate and share health records. This process is a significant factor in the future and reformation of healthcare.
A powerful transformational tool - The transformation from paper records to electronic health records has proved to be beneficial in large organizations such as the Veterans Health Administration and Kaiser Permanente, through the use of systems such as VistA and Epic. VistA and Epic both have the capability to generate enough data to implement transformation in the practice of medicine. In addition, Kaiser Permanente's KP HealthConnect, was able to make vast modifications in their electronic health system, making improvements in the standard operating procedures, coordination, and care of the overall health of patients.
The need for coordinated care - The need for good communication between physicians, specialists, patients, and consumers is necessary to ensure quality care.