Electronic Health Records in the Healthcare System - Research Paper Example

Electronic Health Records in the Healthcare System Introduction Electronic Health Records improve the performance of Health care system. According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), an Electronic health record in health system is defined as the digital version of paper chart in a clinician’s office. It is also defined as the digitally stored healthcare information throughout an individual’s lifetime with the purpose of supporting continuity of care, research and education. Further, an EHR include things like observations, laboratory test treatment, therapies, medical images, patient identifying information, drugs administered, and legal permissions among others. An EHR allows a practitioner to track data over time, examine how patients are doing on certain parameters like blood pressure readings. It can easily identify patients who are schedule for preventative screenings, and monitor the overall quality of care within the practice for improvement (Menachemi, 46). Basically, EHR contains the medical and treatment records of the patients in ones practice. An EHR is said to make easier the process of patient's record-keeping, its more accurate, comprehensive and more efficient. Moreover, doctors use specialized software, which allow them to enter information electronically making patient’s complete history available immediately. Physicians can use a laptop, desktop or electronic clipboard to check through patients’ charts and record notes. The EHR streamlines and automates clinician work-flow; this is because EHR has the ability to generate a complete record of a clinical patient encounter, as well as supporting other care related activities both directly and indirectly (Skolnik,46). History of Electronic Health Records The earliest data processing systems that focused on managing clinical data were first developed in the mid 1960s.This processing system, now known as hospital information system, mainly focused on managing clinical data. This was first introduced at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, California. Later on a number of processing systems were developed. In 1972, the first Electronic Medical Records system was developed by Regenstrif institute. However, as much as this technology was considered advancement in medical practices, it didn’t attract many physicians. Early 2000s, there was the emergence of web-based softwares. Salesforce.com together with other web- based companies emerged, providing the software as- a- service (SaaS). EHR vendors began to offer remotely-hosted options. Furthermore, in 2004, President George W. Bush adopted the electronic health records. He demonstrated his commitment to health information technology by doubling funding for health care IT demonstration project, raising it from $50 million to $100 million (Gartee, 46). In addition, he created a new sub-cabinet position of National Health Information Coordinator. Moreover, George Bush called for widespread adoption of EHR systems by 2014. There was more emphasis on standards for electronically transmitting lab results, X-rays and electronic prescriptions. In 2008, the idea of personal health record came into view. This was mainly influenced by the growth of Internet. This personal health record was where an individual curates his/her own health data online through electronic device. Later in 2009, Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act was passed as part of President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 stimulus package. Furthermore, ARRA contributed to the progress of the switch to electronic records by providing Medicare rebates of up to $44,000 Medicaid rebates of up to $63,750. Lately, in 2011 the Office of the National Coordinator of the HITECH Act created a certification program in response to the need for clarity on what EHR is capable of meeting useful criteria during the first phase, or Stage 1, of adopting EHRs. Specifically, the ONC announces which that 6 certification bodies, including CCHIT, are approved to verify meaningful use (Miller, 156). Later on in the mid 2011, new regulations were proposed creating Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) which help healthcare providers to better coordinate care across multiple settings for medical patients(Menachemi, 47). Consequently the ACOs helped in reducing healthcare costs and meet certain performance standards that will be rewarded. To help health care providers to coordinate care across multiple settings for Medicare patients better, new regulations were proposed creating Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Those ACOs that helped reduce health care costs and meet certain performance standards would be rewarded. This represents a shift away from traditional fee-for-service models of reimbursement (where providers are compensated based on volume of services) toward a focus on prevention and outcomes (or value of services). The EHR will play a key role in capturing patient data for sharing within an ACO (Walker, et al 67). Benefits of Electronic Medical Records Evidently, EMR is more beneficial compared to paper records. Some of the benefits of this EMR include; Track data over time Since electronic medical records can be used to keep a big number of records of patients over time. This is really beneficial to better the performance of the health care system. Physician can be able to check the history of patients for a long time which ensures the physicians make a better judgment on the situation of the patient. Moreover, the fact that EHR keeps a track of data saves the patient the time and energy as all the history will be recorded. Identify patients who are schedule for preventive screening and visits Electronic medical records help medical officers identify the patients’ medical history thus they are able to know if the patients are schedule for preventive screening. Using EMR improves the health system as it gives the medics humble time to plan for their patients Legal and regulatory compliance It has also been pointed out that EHRs can facilitate improved legal and regulatory compliance in terms of increased security of data and enhanced patient confidentiality via controlled and auditable provider access. Additionally, a research done by researchers in Massachusetts has found that physicians using an EHR had less paid malpractice claims (Hamilton, 56). In distinction to others, they found that 6.1% of physicians with EHR had a history of paid malpractice claims compared to physicians without EHRs who were with 10.8%. Evidently, reduction is potentially the outcome of increased legibility and completeness of patient records, increased communication among caregivers, and increased adherence to guidelines in clinical service delivery (Menachemi, 46). Improve accuracy of diagnoses and health outcomes Electronic Health Reports are far more accurate compared to human judgment, so long as the right input is put then the result are expected to be accurate. With this they are minimal errors and patients are able to get treatment and the exact care that they need. Improve care coordination EHR help in improving coordination in health system, with the records in databases that can be accessed by other medics in other department when dealing the same patient makes the care so well coordinated. Consequently, EHR ensures better care as all the practitioners will be conditioning in handling the patient. Increase practice efficiencies and cost savings EHR also increases practice efficiencies and cost saving. Using this system ensures a lot is saved in terms of cost thus more development n the health sector. Drawbacks of using Electronic Medical Reports Despite the many advantages of electronic health records they also have some disadvantages of this system. Some of the disadvantages of this system are noticed by the patients as they visit the doctor more regularly with the electronic medical records being used then they may start noticing the disadvantages of this system. Moreover, other disadvantages are noticed by the doctors behind their closed doors when they are going through their work. The following are some of the disadvantages of electronic health records: Financial costs to start are very high. The starts up costs for the electronic health records are very high hence, making it too expensive for some willing organisations to install them. For an organisation to start up an electronic health record they have to buy equipments to store and record patients’ charts and this is much more expensive than the paper and file cabinets. In addition, the training of the employees on the electronic health records software instalment adds additional expense on the organisation or the medical centres. Therefore, this acts as a disadvantage on this system. Privacy issues concerning the electronic health records. Privacy protection is another disadvantage that faces the electronic medical records. During the time when the pen and paper system, the privacy issues were low compared to the use of electronic health records being used now. This is because with files located at a particular institution there will be limit those who can see your records unlike the use of electronic health records whereby if there is a breach in security then the information that has not been secured in the system can be available to people in that proximity (Ajami,216). However, in a situation whereby the information is sent to a centralized centre then the information is available to a larger group of people. The privacy protection issues are a big disadvantage facing this system. Synchronization of medical records. Not until recently when changes have been made with centralized information repositories, persons being treated at different centres could not have their information updated at the corresponding time and this could lead to healthcare providers not having recent information that have been updated at the same time (Skolnik, 68). Nevertheless, with centralized repositories this problem has been rectified, however, it has given rise to the earlier mentioned problem of security breaching. Barriers of electronic health records The electronic health records system face some barriers, in attaining its maximum potential in improving the medical sector in the society. One of the major barriers was the barrier to the adoption of the electronic health records system by many medical centres and this is actually due to it high start up cost (Menachemi,et al, 47). Other barriers that have been identified to be significant in preventing the expansion of the electronic health records are, lack of interoperability, privacy and confidentiality, insufficient health information data standards, technical issues, transience of vendors and little or lack of trained personnel. Also the attitude and behaviour of individual to change and wanting to stick with the old ways is a big barrier to the implementation of the electronic health record system (Menachemi,et al, 50). Conclusion Electronic Medical Records are improving the health care system in so many ways. These benefits can be classified in terms of cost, efficiency, better services and even smooth running of health services. Moreover, the support from President Obama in adoption of Electronic Medical Record as really increased the use of these records. Despite the potential benefits of these electronic health records, implementation of this technology is faced with some barriers and restrictions, which include; technical limitations, organizational constraints, cost constraints, attitudinal constraints-behavior of individuals and standardization limits. Furthermore, many studies indicate that there are more important factors than other limitations to implement the EHR. An EHR is said to make easier the process of patient record-keeping, its more accurate and comprehensive and more efficient. Moreover, doctors use specialized software, which allow them to enter information electronically and make s patient’s complete history available immediately. Thus adoption of electronic health records is important in ensuring better health services. References Ajami, Sima. "Barriers to implement Electronic Health Records (EHRs)." Pumed 25.3 (2013): 213-215. Print. Gartee, Richard. Essentials of electronic health records. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2012. Print. Hamilton, Byron. Electronic health records. Boston: McGraw Hill Higher Education, 2009. Print. Menachemi, Nir, and Taleah H Collum. "Benefits and drawbacks of electronic health record systems." Pumed 4 (2011): 47-55. Print. Miller, R. H., and I. Sim. "Physicians' Use Of Electronic Medical Records: Barriers And Solutions." Health Affairs 23.2 (2004): 116-126. Print. Skolnik, Neil S. . Electronic Medical Records: A Practical Guide for Primary Care. New York: Springer, 2010. Print. Walker, James M., Eric J. Bieber, and Frank Richards. Implementing an Electronic Health Record System. London: Springer-Verlag London Limited, 2005. Print. Read More