Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
Introduction
Electronic Medical Records refers to the collection, organization, storage, maintenance, use and dissemination of patient data using the digital formats. Healthcare organizations such as hospitals, hospices and insurance firms deal with the sensitive information about the clients. There is a need for a maximum security of the private and confidential data at all times (Menachemi, Collum, 2011). The Baylor is Health Care systems that exist to serve all the clients through a provision of personalized care. As an intern at Baylor, I managed to understand the operations of the institution, particularly the activities of the electronic health records.
The EHR used at the Baylor Health Care
Baylor uses software called Allscript.Baylor keeps a variety of private and confidential information in their databases including the patient medical history, demographics, administrative data as well as the drugs and facilities in place. This organization has fully employed the use of electronic health record systems abbreviated as (EHRs). They have a computerized health information system that keeps all the information on a central server. The data is maintained in an offsite server room to avoid potential loss of information in the event of a disaster. The company employs data clerks who enter all the paper-based information into the computer memory. All the departments communicate to each other using a networked EHR. All the staff who have rights can access medical information on their computers and tablets wherever they are.
Data collection regarding the use of EHRs
During my practicum time at the Baylor Health Care system, I collected a broad range of data concerning the electronic health records in use. Interview method of data collection was employed to get the information from the multiple users of the EHR. Notably, the researcher targeted people from the emergency room, medical floor and the mother-baby unit. Research data shows that the staff members from the three different departments get measurable benefits from using the EHR. Eighty-eight percent of the respondents said that they have seen the significance of the EHR to the patient care. The following section explains the advantages of the Electronic Health Records as the users said.
Benefits of EHRs
Users argue that the EHR employs the use of less paperwork which translates to the fewer storage issues. A lot of information is captured daily ranging from new patients admitted to the official update of information. There will be a lot of papers and files when such data kept in physical formats. The papers will occupy a lot of office space leading to confusion and disorganization (Hillestad,Bigelow,Bower,Girosi,Melli,Scoville,Taylor 2005).
Electronic Health Records increases the quality of patient care. The computer-operated systems translate to the better health outcomes for the patients. Information kept in computer formats can be updated and accessed quickly compared to the paper forms. The accurate information held in electronic formats reduces medical errors and wrong diagnosis of the patients. Some EHRs send automatic reminders to the patients regarding their scheduled visits and screening. This action ensures that the patient receives quality care at all times.
Many respondents argued that the EHRs increase the efficiency and the productivity of the health care professionals. The system allows centralized administration of medical records and the monitoring of the remote access. Doctors, nurses, clinicians and pharmacists among others can access the data simultaneously wherever they are. The system facilitates communication between the users and departments cutting down the costs of follow-ups. The scheduling of officers who work at different times works well with the application of EHRs. All the above actions save cost and time, hence they increase efficiency and productivity of the employees.
EHRs ensure better patient care in hospitals and other health organizations. The clients need not fill the same forms in all the departments and subsequent because the officers can access the medical records on his or her computer. The doctor can access previous records to determine the treatment which worked and the ones that failed. Patients are less likely to be tested twice or face second imaging procedures compared to the paper-based forms. Better coordination of the medical officers and access to the medical records lead to accurate diagnosis and better management of diseases and conditions (Almutairi, 2011).
A concept map
The current EHR in use at the Baylor Health Care has the advantages and the demerits for both the staff and the patients. The following concept map illustrates the pros and cons of the Baylor’s computerized medical record system.
Baylor’s Medical Record Information System The staff Patients Pros Cons Pros Cons Increased productivity Promotes laziness Reduces the chances of misdiagnosis Fear of the unfamiliar technologies Improved efficiency and effectiveness Reliance on the power may stop operations when there is a blackout Avoid unnecessary duplication of medical procedures The patient feels a lost touch with the doctor Saves time and costs of accessing the records. Inadequate technological skills and knowledge. Saves time and costs. Hard to obtain medical records due to internet connection problem or software issues. Remote operations May lead to job loss especially for the medical records officers Increased quality of patient care Delay in the patient cares due to unavailability/problem of the software.
Conclusion
Electronic Health Records has widely adopted in hospitals and other medical institutions. The advantages of the HER outweigh the demerits both to the staff and the patients, hence the need to implement the system. Staff members from the various departments of the Baylor Health Care system reported the positive effects of the EHRs to the patient care.
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