Electronic health records refer to electronic versions of the paper records. It contains in one practice the treatment and medical history of the patient. The system also helps in monitoring the quality of healthcare. The system is designed to reach out beyond the original information collectors through compiling and storing this information electronically for convenient access by other members of the healthcare (Gartee).
According to The National Alliance for Information Technology EHR data can be managed, created and consulted by only authorized staff across health organizations and also the patients themselves. The First step in implementation planning is choosing the technology provider. An important step is the selection and evaluation of the appropriate vendors. Genuine vendors according to ONC must have certification from certifying bodies such as InfoGard Laboratories, Inc. the Drummond Group Inc, or Commission for Health Information Technology. Some of the appropriate vendors include AdvancedMd whose product is AdvancedMD HER, and Bond Technologies whose product is Bond Clinician (DesRoches 640).
Nurses in healthcare provision perform such functions as generating and monitoring health data and information for the patients. Physicians upon diagnoses enter the patient’s information on the EHR system. Consequently, nurses are responsible for executing any orders of lab tests and medications requested by the physicians. They also manage this information and pass it to the patients. In addition, nurses perform administrative roles. Therefore, EHRs have to incorporate these interfaces in nursing profession management system. Understanding these interfaces is important for nurses because they have a direct impact on their clinical care responsibilities. Another important item to understand is how to enter data into the system. Data can be entered in such ways as importing word files; clients may enter their symptoms and history, and importing diagnostic images. In addition, paper records can be scanned and attached to the system through a systematic indexing to facilitate their retrieval (Gartee).
The obvious advantage of using EHRs is the reduction of the paper storage space. Other advantages of EHRs are they are likely to be more legible than physician’s handwriting, it is easy to retrieve patient’s medical records and data, and improves the quality and of health information. In addition, EHRs have a higher potential of preventing duplication of medical tests, reduce medical errors, and improves the quality of resource allocation and system sustainability. However, the EHRs have come with numerous concerns (DesRoches 644). For instance, software compatibility dropdown drug menus in different software can be confusing. Consequently, a human data entry may result resulting to wrong doses and prescriptions. The system may all crush and eventually the loose of the entire data and information. Another major concern with EHRs is fraudulent billing practices, and in case of a mistake could the software vendor be held accountable. In addition, the information from the system can be hacked infringing the privacy of the patient’s medical lives (DesRoches 645).
In conclusion, the primary role for EHRs in healthcare provision is to improve the quality of services. Thus, the healthcare providers and organization should engage nurses in the process of implementing this system. This move will present nurses with a good opportunity of bringing a significant improvement in quality, safety, and effectiveness of healthcare. The interfaces of nursing with EHRs have a significant contribution in healthcare provision including error reduction, patient’s data safety, and ensure that there are no omissions in care provision.
Works Cited
DesRoches, Catherine M., et al. "Electronic Health Records' Limited Successes Suggest More Targeted Uses." Health affairs 29.4 (2010): 639-46.
Gartee Richard Health-Information-Technology-and Management Prentice Hall • Paper, Instock Print Pp. 1-352 /9780131592674.page#downlaoddiv
