Health IT Hot Topic of Week Assignment: Electronic Health Record
Electronic Health Record can be defined as the systematic collection of the health information of populations and patients that have been electronically stored in digital format. The health information can be shared across diverse heath care settings through enterprise-connected and network-connected information systems as well as other information exchanges and network systems (Hsiao, Hing, Socey & Cai, 2010). Electronic Health Records includes an array of data, from allergies, medication, medical history, radiology images, medical billing information, and personal statistics such as weight, age, and laboratory test results to immunization status. Electronic Health Record systems are often developed for the main purpose of storing data accurately and to present the state of patients across time. In the article “Health IT must ‘wrap around’ needs of patients, clinicians” Drovak (2016) highlights the need to use IT to meet the needs of patients and the professionals who attend to these patients in order to improve general health care provision. This paper highlights the need for Electronic Health Record systems and presents a case for the systems through the discussion of its pros and cons.
There is need to improve the efficiency and productivity of heath care systems and institutions in order to enhance the lives of people and maintaining their productivity (Hsiao et al., 2012). The current world environment characterized by harsh economic times require an individual to work hard and be extremely productive at work or any other activity that they engage in in order to earn a living and support their families. An individual can only be productive when he or she is in good health. Hence, health is very important in today’s society. The improvement of healthcare systems and institution has gained importance among governmental agendas in many nations.
One of the ways that has been identified as the most effective way of improving the performance of healthcare systems and institutions in delivering health care services to people is using Electronic Health Record (Drovak, 2016). Rapid technology advancement, which is one of prominent phenomena of the 21st century, poses a challenge and opportunity for industries and firms looking to improve their performance in the world business environment. If these firms are not able to use the opportunity by aligning technology advancement through using modern technology, especially information technology tools such as the internet to improve their performance and productivity, then their rivals (Greehalgh, Hinder, Strae, Bratan & Russell, 2010) may eventually surpass them. Most industries including retail and education industries have digitized and computerized data to facilitate easy and quick retrieval of data and for easy trend analysis, why should the medicine field follow suit?
Many specialists have supported the case for the use of Electronic Health Record systems claiming that these systems do not only have the potential of revolutionizing healthcare systems across the world but also have the ability to improve greatly the healthcare provision by health institutions and professionals (Hsiao et al., 2010). One of the cited advantages of Electronic Health Record is eliminating the limitation of paper records. Health records including medicine prescription used by clinician and doctors are not usually written in eligible handwriting and cannot be stored or shared electronically. Additionally, handwritten records of patient’s health information are too expensive to copy, store, or transport, they can be easily destroyed, they are difficult to analyze and are not environmentally friendly. Electronic Health Record systems are set to present a quantum leap forward in the field of medicine in terms of ability and legibility to retrieve information quickly.
With the advent of frameworks such as patient-centered medical home, accountable care organizations, and pay-for-performance models in the medicine field, there is need for healthcare givers to embrace technology to collect data and report results to receive reimbursements. It is easier to retrieve and track health information of patients using Electronic Health Record systems rather than using paper chart reviews which are labor intensive (Hsiao et al., 2011).
Electronic Health Record systems have the main goal of making health information of patients available for all parties that require it, when they require it and where they require it. Using these systems health information such as laboratory reports can be easily retrieved hence saving money and time. The results can be can be forwarded through secure messaging or they can alternatively be made available for viewing through a portal (Hsiao et al., 2011). Electronic Health Record systems are considered more efficient because they eliminate redundant paperwork and have the ability of interfacing with a billing program, which submits claims electronically. This can be compared to the resources used when delivering lab results to patients using the traditional means, which may involve a physician, a nurse, or front office clerk.
The traditional systems may result to a patient being put on hold for long unlike using the Electronic Health Record systems. These systems also assist in improving the productivity of healthcare systems since they allow health care practitioners and institutions to access readily the histories and physical examinations of patients: Hence, saving time for the interview of patients in order to get this information (O’Connor, 2013).
When it comes to the use of Electronic Health Record systems in the medical field, one of the concerns raised is the issue of privacy. For one, the systems cannot guarantee the privacy of patient’s information. The immediacy and convenience of patient’s electronic records of their health information make it easier for the doctor-patient confidentiality agreement to be broken (O’Connor, 2013). However, medical practitioners can be made to sign confidentiality agreements where they may be banned from leaking personal information about patients and be sued in case they leak the information. Identity theft takes place when an unauthorized individual gains access to sensitive and confidential records of patients. Nevertheless, it is also possible to commit identity theft even by the access of patient’s paper records.
Other issues when using Electronic Health Record systems include unauthorized access to patient’s information by unauthorized with the aim of committing fraud, data loss and crashing of computers and systems, which may wipe out important information about patients (Greehalgh, Hinder, Strae, Bratan & Russell, 2010). However, the issues can be eliminated by putting in stringent security in EHR systems and robust backup plans respectively. More and more medical practitioners and practices are turning to Electronic Health Record systems to assist them in better managing the huge volume of patient’s health information that they generate and accumulate.
There is a need to examine the pros and cons of Electronic Health Record systems in order to healthcare providers that are sited on the fence about Electronic Health Record systems make a decision of using Electronic Health Record systems. This essay has presented a case for Electronic Health Record citing its various advantages and explaining its significance. Although the opponents of Electronic Health Record cite some disadvantages of its systems.
The disadvantages do not hold much significance especially weighed against the expected benefits of using Electronic Health Record systems. The aforementioned disadvantages of Electronic Health Record systems can be overcome through various technological interventions. For instance, on the issue of endangering the privacy of patient’s personal information, stringent privacy measures can be employed where only qualified medical practitioners with the appropriate credentials are given access to information about patients on Electronic Health Record systems. Health information technology should be used to address the needs of clinicians and patients alike and Electronic Health Record provides tools that can be used for the improvement of health care provision, eventually benefiting both patients and medical practitioners.
References
Drovak, K. (2016). Health IT must ‘wrap around’ needs of patients, clinicians. [Online] retrieved from http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/it/slavitt-health-it-needs-to-wrap-around-needs-patients-clinicians on 3rd August 2016.
Greenhalgh, T., Hinder, S., Stramer, K., Bratan, T., & Russell, J. (2010). Adoption, non-adoption, and abandonment of a personal electronic health record: case study of Health Space. Bmj, 341, c5814.
Hsiao, C. J., & Hing, E. (2012). Use and Characteristics of Electronic Health Record Systems among Office-Based Physician Practices, United States, 2001-2012 (pp. 1-8). US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.
Hsiao, C. J., Hing, E., Socey, T. C., & Cai, B. (2010). Electronic medical record/electronic health record systems of office-based physicians: United States, 2009 and preliminary 2010 state estimates. National Center for Health Statistics.
Hsiao, C. J., Hing, E., Socey, T. C., & Cai, B. (2011). Electronic health record systems and intent to apply for meaningful use incentives among office-based physician practices: United States, 2001–2011. System, 18 (17.3), 17-3.
O’Connor, S. (2013). Pros and Cons of Electronic Health Records. [Online] retrieved from http://healthcare.adsc.com/blog/Pros-and-Cons-of-Electronic-Health-Records on 3rd August 2016.
