Identify the problem in the case
The problem identified in the case deals with issues of health care cost in the United States. This is a major concern as many funds are spent in providing health care. According to the case, the United States spent 17.6% of its gross domestic product on health care, in 2009. Furthermore, despite this high cost related to health care, approximately 45 % of Americans are either uninsured or underinsured. Additionally, cases of medical errors and fraud also increase the cost of health care.
What management, organization and technology factors are responsible for the difficulties in building electronic medical records systems? Explain your answer
One of the factors is time for implementing the electronic medical records systems. The setting up of the electronic health records systems will require the upgrading of all record systems, transferring paper-based records to these electronic records, and this is bound to take up much time. Furthermore, the cost of such an upgrading process will be high, and some health care organizations may be reluctant to apply it (Laudon and Laudon, 2012). Additionally, the systems that are being developed now have a chance of not being compatible with systems that will be developed in the future which may derail the goal of information sharing. Other factors that may limit the implementation of electronic medical records system s include privacy concerns and resistance from health care workers.
What is the business, political and social impact of not digitizing medical records (for individual physicians, hospitals, insurers, patients and the U.S. government)?
Paper based records may lack sufficient back up data and in case there is destruction, it may be difficult to find patient history information. This may result to patient changing health care organizations due to such issues. Furthermore, sharing of information becomes a challenge in cases where the patient has to travel abroad or change hospitals. Efficiency is reduced, and loss of life of the patient may occur due to delaying of sending of patient information from institution to another. A physician may also misplace a patient’s medical information and history. The insurers take more time to process patient’s claims. Without the implementation of the EMR system, the cost of health care may continue to increase, and this may limit development in other sectors of the economy.
What are the business and social benefits of digital record keeping?
Digital record keeping may help reduce the number of hospital admissions and improve the quality of healthcare (Rodrigues, 2010). For instance, the implementation of the Veterans Affair system has helped improve the quality of preventative services and chronic care (Rodrigues, 2010). Furthermore, digital record keeping makes sharing of information between medical professional easier and faster. Nurses are able to ensure that patients receive the correct dosages of medications. The digital records may also provide a form of warning systems in cases where the patient may miss medications or screenings. The patient’s records can also be automatically updated.
Are electronic medical record systems a good solution to the problem of rising health care costs in the United States? Explain your answer.
Electronic medical records systems may offer a good solution to reducing health care costs in the United States. However, certain issues such as coding guidelines and privacy concerns need to be addressed. The coding guidelines may help reduce cases of medical fraud. Further, there is the need to have control in cases of abuse of the electronic medical record systems.
References
Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2012). Management information systems: managing the digital firm (12th Ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Rodrigues, J. (2010). Health information systems concepts, methodologies, tools, and applications. Hershey PA: Medical Information Science Reference.
