...Electronic Medical Records Christina Pierre HCS/490 Monday August 26th, 2013 Dr. Alex Kadrie Electronic Medical Records The Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is a digital version of a persons’ medical record that contains the same information as paper record except it comes in an electronic form. The EMR is much more secure than paper record. The access of EMR is limited to staff who have a leg mated “need to know” for treatment, payment, or operation purposes. The EMR system is designed to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to a patient medical record through safeguards. The system is intended to track patient’s entire health and medical history in an electronic format. A patient’s information can easily be retrievable and can make a patient navigate through the health care system much safer and more efficient. The Electronic Medical Record can help organize patient information better, such as diagnoses, medications, and test result in a way that make guidelines easier to follow. It can provide automated prompts and reminders for when tests are due or when control of chronic disease is suboptimal. Through a tracking system and disease registries the EMR can improve patient care from outside to identify potential quality problems. The EMR also support diseases registries and reports to identify the patients who need follow-up appointments. The EMR can facilitate...
Words: 1014 - Pages: 5
...Many studies have been done involving the patient’s perceptions of the use of electronic medical records. One main concern with electronic health records is the face to face communication with the doctor. While in with the patient, the doctor has less contact and direct communication with the patient. The doctor makes less eye contact and gestures toward the patient (A.K. Mwachofi ET Al. 2016). The doctor must get the information into the system while in with the patient. If they don’t enter the information into the system in a timely manner, they may either forget parts of the visit or they won’t get reimbursed by insurance companies. A study was done in an emergency room that found 43% of a provider’s time was spent imputing medical records online and only 28% of time was spent on direct care with the patient (S. Hoffman ET AL. 2014). To deal with the problem of interaction between the provider and patient with electronic health records, some physicians have an assistant go with then in every exam room to type the notes while the physician interacts with the patient. Many patients over the age of 65 reported a problem with their face to face communication with their doctor due to electronic...
Words: 511 - Pages: 3
...The electronic Medical Records system can be a blessing and a curse for the Medical Facility. It can be a blessing when it is done correctly because the patient information is there on hand along with appointments, medications, ultimately the entire medical history of the patient, right there for the provider to see at a glance. It also helps the patient; that they no longer have to give their medical history over and over again with every new provider they see. Also, the record of immunizations for the children is there online, and can be accessed at any time by anyone with those privileges, enabling the parent to breathe normally, no longer worrying whether or not you’ve lost the hard copy of the shot records and your poor little one will have to get all those shots again or not. Electronic medical records can be a curse when not done correctly. I work for the Department of the Army, and they are still in the process of fully implementing Electronic Medical records, and it is indeed a blessing and a curse. When you have a contractor/system in place that does not allow for swift corrections of errors to records, merging of duplicate records, etc. it can be hard on the patient because they sometimes have problems getting care because their electronic medical records are all messed up. Also, it takes anywhere from 4 weeks to 4 months to get a record cleared up and corrected because the system is universal and it there are literally millions of entries to be corrected...
Words: 271 - Pages: 2
...Electronic Medical Records Technology is advancing every year. One way that technology is advancing in health care organizations is the use of electronic medical records. Electronic medical records (EMR) are a digital way of recording a patient’s medical history. EMR’s are a more convenient way to save a patient’s medical history rather than using paper based medical records. More physicians and hospitals are now using electronic medical records. “The availability and utility of electronic medical record (EMR) systems provide a new basis for competition among physician groups and hospitals as well as an opportunity for early adopters to get a competitive jump on their rivals” (Moseley, 2009, pg. 104). Patients want to see a physician that has up-to-date equipment. With the amount of competition in health care organizations, most physicians want to use up-to-date equipment, especially if they want to be a step ahead of their competition. There are many benefits when it comes to electronic medical records. One benefit is efficiency. Using computers for storing a patient’s medical history is more efficient than using paper charts that can get easily lost. Another benefit would be saving time. Physicians can get quick access to a patient’s medical records if they are filed electronically. Saving money will be another benefit. Hospitals and Primary Care Physicians will not have to provide space for filling medical records if they are filed electronically. They also...
Words: 1429 - Pages: 6
...There are many ways that electronic medical records can be beneficial to the nation. It can lower the cost of health care, profiting the healthcare industry as a whole. We desperately need lower cost in this economy, if health care cost decreases then it might be affordable to everyone. Then no parent would have to decide whether or not to pay the medical bills or buy food. Electronic medical record keeping will also improve the quality of care, medical errors might substantial decrease and the health care prove would not have to depend on a patients memory. With being in the military my family and I are always moving, changing provides and medical facilities constantly. I as a patient can't remember all my history plus my children, so the electronic medical record would be a great help for myself and my provider. I remember a friend of mine got into a really bad accident on an out of state trip, they couldn't figure out what was wrong with him, he fell into a coma. Come to find out the medicine they gave him interacted with medicine he was already taking. There was no way the doctors could have known, if this technology was around it would of saved him and his family a lot of heart and pain. His records would have been easily obtainable even far away from home, ensuring a better standard of care for him. Patients might also benefit because it would be harder for mistakes to be made because of hard to read records. Some problems that this might encounter is that it might...
Words: 312 - Pages: 2
...Electronic Health Records: Impacts on the U.S Healthcare Industry Blake Redco 28 Feb 2016 Abstract The patient health record, serves “to recall observations, to inform others, to instruct students, to gain knowledge, to monitor performance, and to justify interventions” (IOM, 2014). Beginning in the latter half of the 20th century and continuing through present-day, patient health records have increased in use and function. A significant portion of patient records, treatment history, and medication data are still stored in paper format however, and full transition to digital formats is likely decades away, or may not be achieved for many more years to come. This text will examine the modern electronic health record (EHR), and how it impacts, and is impacted by, the U.S. healthcare industry in political, technical, and economical environments. The focus on how and why the transition process is occurring, and the challenges therein, will be prevalent throughout examination of the three environments. This is a subjective description, although not comprehensive exploration of factors surrounding the HER, and is not to be taken as criticism or advocacy of any component of U.S. health care policy and/or practices. In each of the environments described below, efforts have been made to provide considerable and timely data, as well as references to influential industry literature and legislation. However, due to the dynamic nature of policies and mandates, technologies, and...
Words: 2975 - Pages: 12
...Electronics Health Records The majority of Americans believe electronic medical records have the potential to improve U.S. health care and that the benefits outweigh privacy risks. Among those who have electronic medical records, half say they are very confident that the physicians and other health-care providers have a complete and accurate picture of their medical history, compared with 27% of those who do not have electronic records (Journal). What is Wrong with Paper Records? There are many issues with paper records such as, only one person can have the chart at a time, keeping track of chart location is difficult, delays in retrieving charts are common and aggravating, and hand writing is often illegible. Also, charts may be disorganized and information is hard to find. Some information does not get into the chart for many days. There are not enough tabs for all the different types of forms. Many trees are sacrificed to print encounter forms and health summaries for each visit, which causes charts to get very fat. Nevertheless, metal tabs break, and the charts fall apart (Juchem, 2009). What About Privacy and Security of Electronic Records? Computer security is no less important in EHR than it was before. Only users that are authorized should be given access to EHR and the level of their access must be consistent. If their password is in the bottom of the keyboard because they cannot remember it probably should not be given one in the first place. However...
Words: 282 - Pages: 2
...Electronic Health Records By Kerri Robinson Hitt 1311 An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is an electronic version of a patient’s medical history, that is maintained by the provider over time, and may include all of the key administrative clinical data relevant to that persons care under a particular provider, including demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports. The EHR automates access to information and has the potential to streamline the clinician’s workflow. The EHR also has the ability to support other care related activities directly or indirectly through various interfaces, including evidence-based decision support, quality management, and outcomes reporting. EHRs are the next step in continued progress of healthcare that can strengthen the relationship between patient care and clinicians. The data and the timeliness and availability of it, will enable providers to make better decision and provide better care. For example, the EHR can improve patient care by: * Reducing the incidence of medical error by improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records. * Making the health information available, reducing duplications of tests, reducing delays in treatment, and patients will be better informed to make decisions. * Reducing medical errors by improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records. Electronic information can be accessed from anywhere and...
Words: 906 - Pages: 4
...Spread across the State of Florida, Nurse on Call, Inc (NOC), has become one of the larger home health agencies in this area; positively impacting patient care through the efficiency of its processes, systems, and staff. Initiating its business in 2003, NOC has always attempted to stay ahead of the competition with its creative and innovative technological advances. Currently, the company utilizes a homecare software product called Axxess. This is a web-based program that allows clinicians and physicians to provide safe and efficient care; while providing continuity. NOC has reduced cost and remained in compliance with its accreditation governing body through the use of this electronic records system. As with any health care organization, HIPAA is a huge factor in protecting all individuals. According to the US Department of Health & Human Services, “A major goal of the Security Rule is to protect the privacy of individuals’ health information while allowing covered entities to adopt new technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care” (“Summary,”(n.d). Through the implementation of Axxess, NOC has proven to uphold security of protected information. “Doctors using EHRs may find it easier or faster to track your lab results and share progress with you. If your doctors’ systems can share information, one doctor can see test results from another doctor, so the test doesn’t always have to be repeated” (“Privacy,” n.d). “EHR systems are backed up like...
Words: 412 - Pages: 2
...Electronic health records (also known as ‘e-notes’, EMR or EHR) have commonly replaced the conventional paper records used in medical facilities. EHRs are a longitudinal electronic record of patient health information generated by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting. Included in this information are patient demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data, and radiology reports”. Some of the basic benefits associated with EHRs include being able to easily access computerized records and the elimination of poor penmanship, which has historically plagued the handwritten medical chart. This technology can offer a more consistent method for open communication among physicians, nurses, labs and other clinical staff without relying on handwritten notes stored in a single-location, electronic health records can help with the time it takes to treat someone. Electronic health records have provided a solution to a range of health care procedures, have offered cost savings and benefits, and still have greater potential for improvement through future efforts. It is evident that the EHRs have shortcomings that are commonly noted and targeted, but they have solved many more problems inherent in previous systems, they are the ideal path for development and improvement for patients and healthcare providers. Electronic health records have allowed healthcare organizations to provide quality care all of its...
Words: 3962 - Pages: 16
...Electronic Medical Records Jacynthia Mcgill-Rice HCS/440 July 13, 2013 University of Phoenix Pamela Cromity, Instructor Abstract Emergency systems improve the quality of care, save money, and improve efficiency using familiar research technology for the health care industry. Larry Weed an amazing visionary physician who in the 1960’s, stated that health care providers should be able to document findings, and research patients information quickly and easily in their electronic medical records. The concept of implementing electronic medical record is also to allow third parties to independently verify diagnosis accurately in a timely manner. The EMR system provides effective communications among health care professionals and providers, such as radiology, laboratory, and connection with patients who experience chronic pathologies under the care of multiple subspecialty care providers. In this paper will speak about advantages, disadvantages, and the challenges within the communication of electronic medical records. Electronic Medical Records Electronic medical records have been around since the 1960’s. As medical care becomes more complex new data is already overwhelming health care professional’s capacity to treat patients with the latest information...
Words: 1116 - Pages: 5
...Services [DHHS], 2008). After Hurricane Katrina, our Nation discovered how easy it was to lose paper health care information. This catastrophic event showcased the value of a national electronic health care system that would keep medical records safe in the event of a natural disaster (Walker, 2005). I will examine the challenges my healthcare facility has faced in achieving the goals of this mandate, and what future plans are in place. In 2004 President George Bush created an executive order that would lay the foundation for a new health information technology infrastructure. This infrastructure would help improve health care quality, reduce medical errors, and increase effective exchange of health care information among health care providers. This system would also provide that Americans have access to electronic health records while keeping that information secure. The DHHS Synopsis informs us that (2008) “Underpinning that system is the ability for patients and providers to electronically share accurate health care information securely while protecting patient privacy” (p.1). This plan has two goals as described by the DHHS. The first is “Patient-focused Health Care: Enables the transformation to higher quality, more cost-efficient, patient-focused health care though electronic health information access and use by care provider and by patients and their designees” (DHHS, 2008). The second is “Population Health:...
Words: 1270 - Pages: 6
...RUNNING HEAD: ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD Electronic Health Record Unit 1 Individual Project Katrina Hurst HLTH242-1102B-04 Instructor: Sandy Sanders Introduction: Over current years various health care corporations have made the decision to transfer from paper based patient records to computer based patient records. There are several individuals who believe that there are too many safety measures and privacy problems that can be produced with the use of a computer program to maintain medical records. Nonetheless, those individuals who believe in the switch also believe that such a change allows for health care providers to provide more efficient care for their patients in the long run. Definition and Information Contained Within: A concise justification in respect of what an Electronic Health Record (EHR) is, it is said to be electronic documentation of patients’ health data shaped by one or many appointments within health care facilities (NTCC, 2010). The data incorporated in an EHR are the patient’s demographics, progression notes commencing from prior states of health, any and all medical matters; including what medication the patient is presently receiving or has received in the past, the patient vital signs, all the patient’s past family medical histories, any immunization, along with both all laboratory and radiology results dealing with the patient’s health. With nearly every computerized system, there are both advantages and disadvantages, and in the...
Words: 1110 - Pages: 5
...Electronic Medical Records Leanne Mansky Baker College Medical professionals in the United States have invested in some of the most advanced diagnostic equipment in the world, but when it comes to keeping track of patients' medical histories, doctors and hospitals still rely primarily on pen and paper. Both Democrats and Republicans support converting all of that paperwork into a comprehensive system of electronic medical records, and the government is finally providing incentives to make that dream a reality. The 2009 stimulus bill supplied funding for doctors and hospitals to upgrade their record-keeping systems, and President Obama has expressed that he'd like every American to have an electronic medical record by 2014 (Pear, 2009) Today, a lot of medical practices are converting to Electronic Medical Records ( EMRs). EMRs are a mode of communication that allows for quicker access to a patients and a decrease in medical errors. Doctors wouldn’t have to worry about illegible or incorrect files. It would also eliminate the risk of inaccurate file storage which would greatly reduce costly mistakes. They also provide a secure system that prevents unauthorized personnel from getting patient information. Paper records can be lost or damaged; EMRs help with the safety and security of patients records. This puts patients mind at ease knowing their records are only accessed by specific authorized personnel. EMR reduces the administrative portion and the healthcare provider is...
Words: 830 - Pages: 4
...appointments. Therefore, a massive leap in digital technology suggests that records should be, and are in the process of being, computerized. However, this digitalizing of health records has developed into an extremely controversial issue as several have voiced their concerns. Some suggest that electronic medical records, or EMR, have made healthcare more efficient and beneficial; whereas, others have expressed fears concerning privacy and confidentiality. In the healthcare field, nurses take on numerous...
Words: 1213 - Pages: 5
