...Advantages and Disadvantages of Electronic Health Records In the modern world, every sector aspires to adopt computerization. The health sector is not an exemption and I would state that the health sector has made tremendous steps to adopt the electronic health records (Gungor, 2011). Electronic health records has some advantages and disadvantages as explained below. The Benefits of Electronic Health Records Reduction in Human Errors It is eminent that the electronic medical records have played a very vital role in reducing the chances of human errors in maintaining the health records. The health records that are created by electronic data are in electronic form. They are not stored in the files as it was the case with the old record keeping methods. There is less handling of electronic health records as compared to the manual health records (Gungor, 2011). This eliminates the chances of human error which occur when incompetent persons handle health records. Errors of misplaced files are eliminated. Safety and Security Electronic medical records provide a safe and secure way of storing information. Medical records are very essential and have to be stored safely. Electronic medical records can be duplicated easily and stored in computer systems (Gungor, 2011). This is unlike the paper files which can easily get lost, or damaged by natural disasters or even stolen. Electronic medical records limits the access of the patients medical records to the authorized person’s only, this...
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...Electronic Medical Records Le Ann Snow HSC/490 March 3, 2014 Jennifer N Johnson Electronic Medical Records As technology becomes even more part of our lives, we move towards anything that has become easy and fast. As technology goes with anything in our lives, it also reaches our medical health records. While paper charts were used for many years, they have become obsolete. Paper based EMRs are records for the patient’s own use. It includes copies of tests, results, prescription notices, and invoices on treatments, explanations of benefits from both providers and insurers. There is a negative side when it comes to paper records, they lack accessibility and cannot be shared as easily. With personal computer records, one can easily install a EMR application for their own records to be on their own personal computer. One can add information, download files and scan documents from their own providers. Internet type of EMR is all internet based as it is similar to local applications on one’s own computer. It is only accessible online once you log in with the username and password. An example of the program is that of Microsoft’s HealthVault. Online EMR lets the patient manage their own personal record from home and one can update and transmit their information along with giving others access (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 2012). There are several different uses for Electronic Medical Records. One of those is that all medical information will be kept in one place. This is...
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...Communications and the impact on health care Gary Murray University of Phoenix, Axia College Communications in health care can be the difference between the success of an organization and its downfall. Communications is also a way for organizations to promote new products and new services the ways that this can be done would be through electronic medical records, or any form of a web-based communique. Some types of communications can also make the patient feel safer and also help the organization save time and money. Electronic medical records give the patient some benefits that are to the advantage of them as well as the provider. It allows the patient to keep their medical records up to date and accurate so that way there are no problems with such things as allergies, surgeries, or medications that are being taken. This is a way for the patient to keep accurate records of their medical history as well as keeping the provider updated at all times (Brooks, R., Grotz, C.). This an effective means of communication between the patient and provider by allowing the provider to give access to some of their records that will allow the patient to adjust certain things in their lifestyle or medications without going in to see the provider for something that would not require an office visit. This type of communication can allow the provider to keep a better watch...
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...Overview and Timeline Final Project Overview As Happy Health Medical Clinic’s records manager, create a presentation outlining standard records management procedures for the employees who work in your facility. Note that the purpose of this presentation is not to define what the aspects of records management mean, but to illustrate the practical procedures employees must follow to handle patient records effectively. Review the Final Project description in Week Nine of the syllabus for important details about this assignment. Final Project Timeline You should budget your time wisely and work on your project throughout the course. As outlined below, some assignments in the course are designed to assist you in creating your final project. If you complete your course activities and use the feedback provided by the instructor, you will be on the right track to successfully complete your project. □ Suggested in Week Two: As you conduct your interviews for Appendix B, take note of how a medium-sized facility differs from small and large facilities. Consider how particular types of health care settings necessarily incur different types of records management issues. □ Suggested in Week Three: Choose the type of record format you think is most suitable for Happy Health—your guidelines will need to inform staff how to create new records and how to use the manual effectively. Also, describe Happy Health’s record retention schedule for inactive and archived files. □...
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...and reporting for a variety of areas and reason. One main reason is statistics for several department/areas. This information is used to increase quality of care, to determine if there is an increase in a specific health diagnosis, as well as hospital census, which will help to determine the level of staff needed to provide that quality of care. The government also needs to maintain statistics on the population in order to provide services. HIM professionals compute most of the data collected for healthcare facilities. They will often be asked to produce an almost limitless number of rates from data collection. All organizations concerned with healthcare collect and use statistics. • Hospitals – use data information for staffing issues and to determine the types of services provided with regards to bed counts. • Cancer Registries – use data information to calculate diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cancer patients. • Nursing Facilities – use data information to determine type of payers their patients have. • Home Health Organizations – use data information to determine the types of services used by their patients. • Hospices- use data information to determine the type of illness being treated to pare up with the appropriate caregiver. • Mental Health Facilities – use data information to determine if they are providing the proper services for the community. • Drug and Alcohol Facilities – use data information to show the success rates of these facilities • Outpatient...
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...a good understanding of one another by communicating directly, effective, and efficiently. Communication can be the key to a very successful business. One mode of communication in health care is electronic medical records. Although you think of an electronic medical record as a type of record that is electronic it actually hold great potential for communication. This is a type of communication that health care employees use to communicate from one person to another, one department to another, from the provider to the patient. Benefits of Communication When proceeded properly, the benefits of communicating through an electronic medical record can be successful but only if done effective and efficiently. When you think about an electronic medical record, communication doesn’t come to mind. One would tend to wonder how communication would come in play with an electronic medical record but to be honest and electronic medical record plays a big role with communication. An electronic medical record can communicate with many different parties in a medical facility, even all at once. The benefit of this type of communication is that unlike paper files where everything needs to be written then passed over to the next department for further viewing, screening, or diagnostics, an electronic medical record can automatically log the information onto a computer system and this will make it viewable to every department that has the permission to view a patients file. This means fast service...
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...Weekly Overview Week 1 Overview It is important to understand what a health record is and the different components that comprise a health record. There are many different types and purposes of healthcare records. No matter what type of health record it is, the healthcare record will assist the healthcare provider with patient care. An electronic health record (EHR) is a health record that is stored electronically on a healthcare information system. Electronic health records make it easier for healthcare providers to access and search for patient information quickly, by using a computer network to access the EHR and find specific information. This week, you will identify the purpose and main components of an electronic health record database. A database allows you to store and search data. Knowing the different components of a database and how the database stores, searches, and presents data will help you understand how information systems store and use health information within the healthcare industry. What you will cover 1. Fundamentals of information systems and databases Information systems are used in healthcare to manage and organize patient information. The different information systems used within the healthcare facility must be linked to share information between departments. The structure that holds the collection of data is referred to as the database. a. Explain the difference between computer hardware and software. 1) Hardware is what can be...
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...Electronic Health Records (EHR) | | Technology & Society | | EHR Electronic Health Records (EHR) is an official health record for an individual that is shared among multiple agencies and facilities. Digitized health information systems are expected to improve efficiency and quality of care and, ultimately, reduce costs. EHR’s contains Contact information, Information about visits to health care professionals, Allergies, Insurance information, Family history, Immunization status, Information about any conditions or diseases, A list of medications, Records of hospitalization, and Information about any surgeries or procedures performed. (Rouse, 2011) (Holt, 2003) There are a wide variety of benefits that comes along with EHR’s such as there are essential to increasing the quality of health care and improving patient safety. The benefits range from information integration to increased efficiency of clinical processes. These benefits impact physicians, patients and the medical community as a whole. For patients EHR care providers the information they need to ensure that their patients receive the most appropriate, timely and efficient medical care possible, which will reduces medical errors and duplication of services. These tools include drug information, patient history, clinical guidelines and screening recommendations. EHRs increase screening and preventive care and reduce complications, including drug errors. (Rouse, 2011) (Holt, 2003) Physician and Medicare...
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...Previous health care records were handwritten by a clinician on paper forms in a folder and stored away in file cabinets. An electronic medical record (EMR) is the electronic version of this previous medical chart, and what is popularly used in today’s time of health care. “It includes all components of the patient’s medical records and enables any member of a patient’s treatment team to access the patient’s progress notes, treatment plans, medications, and other patient information from a variety of locations” (Richards, 2009). The Institute of Medicine recommended the use of EMR’s since the year 2003. Since then, electronic medical records have been proven to provide effective treatment, reduce medical errors and improved accessibility to patient’s medical records. The implantation of electronic medical records has been an advantage to the current U.S health care industry and its people. By using this system, drug interaction warnings, prescription refill notifications and annual screening reminders are what save our population today. In order for an organization to decide whether to implement this system or not, management must review the risks and benefits that come along with this. The cost of applying EMR’s is considerably high and is categorized as being a risk for a company. Not only for the upgrade in technological machinery, but also in the training of health care professionals. Managers must set aside a budget specifically for the implementation of equipment as...
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...Catastrophic Cyberattack on the Health System Over the couple decades the United States has taken on using more of the information technology systems. By doing this helps with sharing information quickly and efficiently. One of the changes that have come into this cyber system is the United States health care system. When it comes to a person’s health care having the information quickly can make a difference in a life. At the same time there are potential risks when sharing this kind of information over an internet connection. Cyber-terrorism meaning is “an assault on electronic communication networks” (Dictionary.com. n.d. para. 1). If this happens to our health care system, the persons responsible could access information that is private. This happened to one hospital located in Bakersfield, California. The hospital was him with a virus attack that crippled the computer system. So the doctors and nurses at this hospital had to go back to using paper records for the patients. Attacks like this can be costly. It can cause delays in surgeries, important test results and cause the care to patients to be interrupted (UCDavis Health System, 2010). With the health care systems moving into a digital world seems like a great idea. Back in 1999-2001 the health records of a service member and their family was done on paper. Every time a service member would move to a different base they had to go get those records and carry them to their next duty station. When I left...
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...Running head: Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Student Names Florida Atlantic University College of Business Health Administration Program Dr. Attila J. Hertelendy Introduction to Health Care Systems HSA 6103 Electronic Medical Records (EMR) November 15, 2011 Table of Contents 2 Abstract ............................................................................................................................................3 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................4 Types of EMRs ................................................................................................................................4 EMR Technology ....................................................................................................................4 Practice Management ..............................................................................................................7 Vendors and Cost of EMR ......................................................................................................7 EMR Stimulus.........................................................................................................................8 Different Uses of EMR ....................................................................................................................9 Uses of EMR in Health Management .............................
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...Future Trends in Health Care Future Trends in Health Care Twenty years ago no one in the health care industry could have dreamed of the advancements we are experiencing today. The technology has advanced treatments, equipment, and delivery of care. Information is key to successful problem-solving and health service delivery (Hovenga & Heard, 2010). Combining and progressing in the information technology field has and will continue to advance care. Change and potential progress in health care are influenced by many factors, one important factor today is progress in information and communication technologies (ICT), leading to new pervasive or ubiquitous ICT, providing new opportunities to support or even enable new types of health care services (Haux, Howe, Marschollek, Plischke, & Wolf, 2008). The use of the Internet, e-mail, and other electronic services like telemedicine has helped this industry touch out of reach areas and specialties. Just try to think of where the health care industry can go from here. The development and refinement of the Internet has helped the industry explorer and research faster. It has also allowed health care to be exposed to the public for research and education. The use of e-mail for a form of communication reduces time, which may be critical in a health care issue. Telemedicine allows the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve patients' health status (ATA, 2011). The...
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...Advantages and Disadvantages of the EMR Abstract The use of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system has gained popularity within the healthcare organization. It has advantages and disadvantages for both patients and providers. These are discussed as well as regulations of the EMR. Overview of the Electronic Medical Record System The way that records are being kept has changed dramatically within this century. The process of entering data into a simple database has also evolved. The Electronic Medical Record System that health care providers are now using has many advantages and even a few disadvantages compared to the previous ways the information was stored and how it was accessed. Throughout the health care industry there are several different types of software that may be utilized to record a patient’s information. There is a wide range of information stored such as problems, medications and vital signs, notes, procedures, medical history, immunizations, allergies and the list goes on. With all the different information that must be stored, a paper record can become quite thick and important information may not be found easily or even lost forever. Poor penmanship may make the file unreadable and if unclear, mistakes can be costly for the patient. The efficiency of the computer reduces many of the problems of the paper trail. The quality of care a patient receives must focus...
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...Texas Administrative Code Title 25. Health Services Part 1. Department of State Health Services Chapter 91. Cancer Subchapter A. Cancer Registry Effective Date: August 14, 2011 §91.1. Purpose. This subchapter implements the Texas Cancer Incidence Reporting Act, Health and Safety Code, Chapter 82. This legislation concerns the reporting of cases of cancer for the recognition, prevention, cure or control of those diseases, and to facilitate participation in the national program of cancer registries established by 42 United States Code, §§280e - 280e-4. Nothing in this subchapter shall preempt the authority of facilities or individuals providing diagnostic or treatment services to patients with cancer to maintain their own cancer registries. §91.2. Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. (1) Act--The Texas Cancer Incidence Reporting Act, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 82. (2) Branch--Cancer Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch of the department. (3) Cancer--Includes a large group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells; any condition of tumors having the properties of anaplasia, invasion, and metastasis; a cellular tumor the natural course of which is fatal, including intracranial and central nervous system malignant, borderline, and benign tumors as required by the national program of cancer registries; and malignant...
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...The patient health record contains important information regarding clinical quality and care. The health record is also undergoing a radical evolution as more imaging becomes available and digital record keeping becomes the norm. The HIM professional needs to have a clear understanding of how to manage increasingly complex sources of health information. In this paper, we will discuss how the HIM professional should manage the use of paper forms in a hybrid environment in order to maintain the integrity of the health record. We will also compare the strengths and weaknesses of using hybrid records and discuss legal issues that may arise when using hybrid records. Additionally, we will evaluate the “Willow Bend Record Policy” to determine if it protects health information for record storage and destruction of paper and electronic health records based on Kansas state regulations, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The term hybrid health record is used in today’s healthcare environment to describe a format that has both paper based and electronic information. Given that this type of health record is complex in content, it comes with additional requirements in regard to management. This is particularly true when comes to managing patient information into a concise, presentable formation. As HIM professionals, we should also be seeking ways to improve access to information and balancing that access with security....
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