The Role of Patient Records and the Information contained within those Records
A health record is an essential and powerful tool that allows the physician to track a sick individual’s medical history and highlight patterns or problems that may assist in understanding the course of the healthcare. The primary directives of patient records are to help in the delivery of quality and continuous care as well as providing evidence and assessments of medical interventions. The records contain the patient’s story to facilitate every encounter with health professionals who take part in his or her care (Lavin, Harper & Barr, 2015). They are built to share information amongst the practitioners in the healthcare organization concerning the individual’s medical history.
The Use of HIM to provide Benefit Patients and Healthcare Organizations in the U.S.
HIM plays the role of giving patient safety and healthcare quality. The system promotes diligence by capturing data that supports an accurate measurement of the quality of medical care. In return, the patients receive excellent treatment that leaves them satisfied with the healthcare organizations (Herrick et.al, 2010). The U.S can benefit by using HIM in all the above ways together with the provision of up-to-date knowledge that can be accessed quickly.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Using HIM Internationally
HIM presents numerous benefits to the international healthcare system regarding the timeliness and accuracy of information. The storage of patient records in an electronic manner makes distance appear irrelevant when making consultations with the doctors. The patients benefit from better coordination and communications, especially if they are suffering from chronic illnesses. Unfortunately, HIM also poses a few disadvantages concerning security and privacy issues due to identity theft, corruption, unauthorized access, and hacking (Lavin, Harper & Barr, 2015). The system can also prove to be too complicated to the health professionals who are required to use it.
The Usefulness of HIM in relation to International Healthcare Needs
The global medical system requires interoperability, data quality, and standards that are provided by the HIM system. Consistency and quality of information are vital in healthcare reporting, ensuring patient safety, coordinating care, and delivering medical services. HIM also harnesses the costs that are incurred by the organizations by promoting the efficiency of their operations (Herrick et.al, 2010). The international healthcare system needs a suitable system that can manage its present and recurring problems to promote the activities of the firms and work towards a healthier globe.
References
Herrick D. et.al. (2010). Health Information Technology: Benefits and Problems. National Center for Policy Analysis. Policy Report No. 327.
Lavin, M., Harper, E., Barr, N., (April 14, 2015) "Health Information Technology, Patient Safety, and Professional Nursing Care Documentation in Acute Care Settings" OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 20 No. 2.
