...becoming increasingly useful and implemented more frequently by health care providers throughout the United States. This technology may include Electronic Health Records (EHR) or Electronic Medical Records (EMR). The shift towards implementing Electronic Health Records has a significant influence on the quality of care provided by health care providers; however, some providers still stick to the basic paper documentation due to skepticism and disregard the benefits to adopting new technologies. Many questions arise when a health care provider is interested in adopting EHR’s, such as why adopt EHR’s? What are the benefits of EHR’s in relation to paper documentation? What steps need to be taken in order to adopt and implement EHR’s? What barriers will be encountered during the decision making process and how will these barriers be addressed? A health practice interested in adopting and implementing an EHR system must establish priorities, identify potential risks and how to avoid or overcome these risks, outweigh the pros and cons, set goals, and adhere to strict guidelines to ensure adopting a successful system. The terms Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are often used interchangeably by health care providers when in fact there is a subtle difference between EHRs and EMRs. Electronic Medical Records and Electronic Medical Records are both digital versions of a patient’s medical history and information; however EMRs are designed to...
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...CONTENTS I. Advantages of EHRs 2 a. Cost Containment 2 b. Empowerment 3 c. Improved Communication 4 d. Less Waste 4 e. Compliance 5 II. Disadvantages of EHRs 6 a. Lack of Standardization 6 b. Security & Privacy Concerns 7 c. System Infrastructure Issues 8 d. Risk of Liability and Patient Uncertainty 8 III. EHR Technology 9 a. EHR Benefits 10 b. EHR Types 11 c. EHRs Future Evolution 13 d. EHR Technology versus Handheld SMART devices 14 IV. Trends and Consequences 15 a. Aggressive Implementation 16 b. High Costs 16 c. Labor Investment 17 d. Opportunity Cost 17 e. Impact on Researchers, Policymaker and Educators 18 V. Final Opinion 19 VI. Bibliography 22 VII. Appendix I 28 VIII. Appendix II 31 I. Advantages of EHRs In an effort to reign in rising health care costs and increased health care disparity and inequality in the U.S., former president George W. Bush doubled the funding for Health Care Information Technology to 100 million in 2005 (The White House). It was part of a larger plan to utilize latest information technology to standardize patient and health records, which despite spending 1.6 trillion dollars, attributed to 98,000 medically related errors in 2004. The plan was part of his campaign promise and was reiterated in his January 20, 2004 State of the Union address when, President Bush remarked, “by computerizing health records, we can avoid dangerous medical mistakes, reduce costs, and improve care.” Considering that...
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...The effects of EHRs will be on the duration and time utilization of follow-up outpatient, and inpatient consultations will be used as the measure of the operational impact of digitalized medical records. The effects of implementation of EHRs will be measured by comparing timings between query using traditional records with questions using electronic records. Also, the impacts of implementation of electronic health records will be measured by seeking views of healthcare professionals regarding benefits and obstacles of using digitalized records. A follow-up examination about the use of EHRs will be selected rather initial outpatient visits as the unit of measure because some patient would not have any pre-existing hospital medical record at their first consultation. Data collection tools to capture the impacts of post implementation of EHRs will also be measured to determine the efficiency of EHRs. Staff related administration will include time taken to fill chart full- filling lab outcome and consult notes, day visits, time spent in writing the chart, and time spent in doing billing. Physicians related clinical measures will include time spent analyzing lab results, time spent writing the chart...
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...to us with successful implementation. . The three main benefits I will be presenting research on are the financial benefits of an electronic health record, the ability to provide better quality patient care and the opportunity to increase productivity and efficiency through implementing an electronic health record. There are significant financial incentives for implementing an electronic health record and meeting Medicare and Medicaid’s requirements for meaningful use. Eligible providers can earn up to $44,000 through the Medicare EHR Incentive Program and up to $63,750 through the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. There are three stages involved in meeting meaningful use the first stage consists of data capture and sharing, the second involves advanced clinical processes and the third focuses on improved outcomes. Incentives are paid out annually over four years. There are many ways implementing an electronic health record can improve the quality of patient care. Some of these reasons include: decreased damage and loss of paper records, reduced wait time for patients, easier transmission of records to other clinicians, use of e-prescribe allows...
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...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...
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...Contents Introduction 1 Literature review 2 Problem analysis and discussion 3 Electronic Health Records (EHR): 4 Computerized physician order entry (CPOE): 8 Conclusion 9 Recommendation 10 References 11 Introduction The healthcare industry is undergoing a drastic change in the modern world where the imprints of information technology (IT) are expanding and the combination of these two industries is leading to a new era of computerized hospital information systems. Baker (2008). The importance of information technology cannot be over emphasized for two major reasons, first, where a high level of accuracy is required (which can be fulfilled by digital mediums) and second, where a large size of transactional data exists and the requirement of analyzing this data supersedes (which can be fulfilled by having large databases and analyzing them using IT tools). There are numerous IT based applications in the environment and it has really become a challenge for the CTO of a healthcare facility to decide over the progressive plan for adoption of IT based systems in the purview of health information technology (HIT), computerized physicians order entry (CPOE), electronic health record (EHR) and many other similar programs found across the world. The primary question raised against any kind of IT investment is “how the proposed IT system will improve productivity, tender financial benefits and achieve administrative excellence?” There exists a rich literature on...
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...cellular phone app allowing access to records anytime and anywhere; PrimeConnect E-prescribing, a unique way to capture patient allergies, drug interaction and the capability of easily prescribing and refilling patient prescriptions electronically; and finally, PrimeConnect ProHealth, “an integrated, protocol-based communications, patient engagement, and measurement solution that empowers providers to succeed in every aspect of collaborative care” (NextGen, 2013). Quality of Care “When health care providers have access to complete and accurate information, patients receive better medical care. Electronic health records (EHRs) can improve the ability to diagnose diseases and reduce—even prevent—medical errors, improving patient outcomes” (HealthIT.gov, 2013, para. 1). PrimeConnect ensures that providers have reliable access to patient records anytime and anywhere. With an easily accessible, complete and comprehensive medical record, the provider can diagnose and begin a patient treatment plan sooner which may result in a more favorable patient outcome. EHRs have had an extremely positive impact on the quality of patient care because they “can reduce errors, improve patient safety, and support better patient outcomes” (HealthIT.gov, 2013, para....
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...Communication Tiffany Williams HCS 490 Health Care Consumer- Trends and Marketing January 9th, 2012 Tina Folk-Cromartie Communication Information system (IS) is a result in the arrangement of information, processes, people, and information technology (IT). Additionally, information systems support health organizations by the effect on the following: collection, process, storing, and providing as an output of information. Information technology is hardware and software working together along with data and telecommunication technology. Health care information systems (HCIS) are valuable in a health care setting because the information includes raw facts, and that information also helps facilitate the decision-making process. Before 1960s, physicians were to hand write medical information; fortunately, the early 1960s introduces a new form of record keeping. Electronic health record (EHR) should focus on the total health of a patient. EHRs simplify communication between patient and provider, and enable both to obtain health information quickly and effectively. Even though EHRs are full of advantages concerning patient-provider communication, EHRs also have disadvantages. The discussion of this paper will display how EHRs help patient and providers communication effectively. One benefit to the patient Electronic health record is a benefit to patients in many ways; for instance, EHRs empower patient to access his or her medical records electronically with security. In...
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...Communication Paper HCS/490 Week 4 July 18, 2011 Benefit of Electronic Health Records In this paper I will demonstrate communication modality of EHR’s uses in health care. My focus is on Electronic Medical Records (EHR), and various approaches to using them. Electronic Medical Records have become a vital tool in health care facilities. They provide a uniform method of communication between doctors and other health care workers, without the necessity for handwritten information that is stored in a specific location. Necessary patient information can be acquired from various locations securely with a password. Paper based records are gradually being phased out and being replaced by computer based records. The transition is not yet complete but should be in the immediate future. Electronic Medical Records are the heart of computerized health information systems without then much of modern technology cannot be successfully coordinated into the typical clinical workflow. Importance of Electronic Medical Records There are several advantages of Electronic Medical Records: * Organization and increased efficiency * Immediate access to patient information * Better health decision when EHR can be accessed by multiple doctors in many cases it will prevent repeat or needless procedures due to lack of communication. * Standardization * Most important to many is HIPPA as it gives patients additional rights as they can have access to their medical information...
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...Module 6 Quiz 1. Did the EHR seem to be well aligned with SunHealth’s overall strategic plan? Explain your rationale. SunHealth wanted to implement electronic health record (HER) to improve patient safety, decrease medical errors, and help ensure the providers were using evidence base medicine. The organization also envisioned HER allowing patients to view their records through a PHR or a patient portal, the patients then would become more involved in their own health care. Ultimately, EHR became a great tool to create a patient-centered environment and improve care coordination. SunHealth implemented HER using a phase approach, since they were afraid to go in all one shot. They set out four phases, have completed two so far, and just started the third phase. Thus, EHR seemed to be well aligned with SunHealth’s overall strategic plan. 2. Does Melissa Drake appear to possess the qualities and characteristics of an effective project manager? Why or why not? What other qualities might be important for a project manager in a case such as this one? Melissa Drake appears to possess the qualities and characteristics of an effective project manager. First, she has the technical expertise, as she has been a critical care nurse for 10 years. Second, she is well respected in the organization. Third, she is able to detail the project’s objectives, scope, and intended results. Other qualities that might be important for a project manager include a wide range of...
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...Sepsis Workflow The early recognition of sepsis is critical to the timely treatment and prevention of progression. According to Alsolamy et al. (2014), an electronic sepsis alert tool could help recognize early sepsis. Therefore, an understanding of the processes that surrounds the identification and management of sepsis can help electronic health record (EHR) designers, end-users, and quality auditors determine the most usable and efficient method. According to McGonigle and Mastrian (2015) workflow analysis involves the "observation and documentation to understand better what is happening in the current environment" (p. 266). This paper will examine the current early sepsis recognition process and determine if any opportunities for optimization...
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...Health Records (EHR) - An EHR is a patient’s health care record in a digital form. These health care records are real- time and provide a patient’s healthcare history instantly and securely. They contain medical and treatment histories of patients and generally provide all the clinical data that is collected from time to time. An electronic health care record can present a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, allergies, treatment plans, medical visits, costs of treatments, laboratory and radiology reports, test results etc. Advantages of Electronic health Record- Basically speaking, an EHR is a paper chart of a patient’s healthcare details that is readily accessible...
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...Individual Reflection Paper Allscripts EHRs in Cuba Around the world, electronic health records (EHRs) are being implemented to improve patient care, reduce health care expenses, and fundamentally change the way in which healthcare providers practice medicine. Now that Washington has begun to dismantle its trade embargo with Cuba, new opportunities arise for Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (Allscripts) to sell their products and solutions. Allscripts is health information technology (HIT) company providing physician practices, hospitals, and other healthcare providers with electronic health record and practice management technology, including electronic prescribing, care management and revenue cycle management software. An electronic health record is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. It contains a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory and test results, and more. One of the key features of an EHR is the ability to share health information across multiple health care organizations. Another key feature of an EHR is the ability to improve patient care, care coordination, practice efficiencies, and patient outcomes—most important, costs savings. So, what makes Cuba an ideal overseas market for EHR companies? Cuba is Interested In EHRs Cuba started building a national strategy for a universal health system using information and communication technologies in 1965. Vital statistics...
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...CIS500 Information Systems for Decision-Making Term Paper - Information Technology Strategic Plan April 12, 2015 1. Write an introductory statement of the company including but not limited to the type of the company, the location, the industry in which it competes, and the organizational vision and mission that encompasses the nature of the company. Being the largest not-for-profit Catholic healthcare system serving the Delaware Valley, Mercy Health System is part of Trinity Health and sponsored by Catholic Health Ministries. Their mission is to serve in the spirit of the Gospel, which means serving the entire community with compassion and healing presence while addressing the diverse factors that impact the health needs of the whole person. Even though they treat people from all walks of life, they have a special concern for the poor and disadvantaged. The goal of Mercy Health System is to be recognized as the leader in improving the health of the community and everyone they serve. Currently, they employ approximately 6,500 caring, highly skilled personnel who are focused on creating positive patient-care. Mercy Health System is a diverse, integrated system that embodies: Four Hospitals acute care hospitals: | Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital | A 213-bed teaching hospital in Delaware County and Southwest Philadelphia | | Mercy Philadelphia Hospital | A 268-bed community teaching hospital serving the needs of West and Southwest Philadelphia communities | |...
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...Principles Goal I: Achieve Adoption and Information Exchange through Meaningful Use of Health IT Goal II: Improve Care, Improve Population Health, and Reduce Health Care Costs through the Use of Health IT Goal III: Inspire Confidence and Trust in Health IT Goal IV: Empower Individuals with Health IT to Improve their Health and the Health Care System Appendix A: Performance Measures Appendix B: Programs, Initiatives, and Federal Engagement Appendix C: HIT Standards and HIT Policy Committees Information Flow Appendix E: Statutes and Regulations Appendix F: Goals, Objectives, and Strategies Appendix G: Acronyms ONC Acknowledgements Notes 3 6 7 8 21 28 36 49 51 65 67 70 74 77 77 78 Goal V: Achieve Rapid Learning and Technological Advancement 43 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan 3 Introduction he technologies collectively known as health information technology (health IT) share a common attribute: they enable the secure collection and exchange of vast amounts of health data about individuals. The collection and movement of this data will power the health care of the future. Health IT has the potential to empower individuals and increase transparency; enhance the ability to study care delivery and payment systems; and ultimately achieve improvements in care, efficiency, and population health. However, these technologies – including electronic health records (EHRs), personal health records (PHRs), telehealth devices, remote monitoring technologies, and mobile health applications...
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