Define the Joint Commission stand on the use of Electronic Health Records and requirements for use - Essay Example

The Joint Commission Stand on the Use of Electronic Health Records and Requirements Use Maintaining electronic records on health is evolving and it explains the methodical collection of electronic information on the health of patients and individuals within a population (Abdelhak, 2007). They are records that are usually captured and stored in a digital layout which is quite capable of being shared across many health organizations (Green & Bowie, 2010). The types of records stored could include the medical history of a patient, the medications given over time, allergies, their current statuses of immunization, their results from tests and bills among other details (Abdelhak, 2007).

The Joint Commission is responsible for verifying that the health organizations are using the electronic systems correctly in their activities of providing quality patient care (Joint Commission Resources, 2001). The 2008 alert from the sentinel event of the Joint Commission of the United States stipulates that as the technologies are being increasingly adopted by various organizations concerned with health issues. The commission suggests that their users should be careful of the security risks along with the prevention of the adverse effects that the systems can bring forth.

These adverse effects can occur due to errors in commission or errors in omissions (Green & Bowie, 2010). They additionally suggest that these adverse effects usually stem from human or technological errors and should be greatly avoided. For example, in the year 2006 the Joint Commission found out that Pharmacopeia databases had over a hundred and fifty thousand errors on the medications issued and a quarter of them consisted of computer technology errors (Joint Commission Resources, 2001). The commission additionally suggests that the health organizations making use of the electronic records on health should use certified systems in meaningful manners (Abdelhak, 2007).

This should be for the purposes of exchanging information that will lead to improvements in the quality of health care provided. They have clearly stated that the systems should also be utilized in the submission of clinical quality and other measures within the health organization (Green & Bowie, 2010). The commission carries out its accreditation activities on healthcare organizations through surveys on their sites every three years. Accreditation is awarded on the basis that an organization is complying with the requirements of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability) Act of 1996.

These requirements include issues like information management, the management of electronic records on health and the management of information on a patient’s health (Abdelhak, 2007). The act has been charged with establishing rules for governing the accessibility, authentication, storage and transmitting of the electronic records on health. The Act is closely utilized by the Joint Commission in evaluating the use of the systems (Joint Commission Resources, 2001). The commission further states that the meaningful utilization of the electronic records will include improvements in the coordination of patients care and the reduction of disparities between different healthcare providers.

They also suggest that the meaningful utilization of the electronic records will additionally involve engaging the patients along with their families, making improvements on the health of the population and ensuring that there is sufficient privacy along with security for their stored information (Abdelhak, 2007). The commission is charged with ensuring that the patients’ safety is safeguarded through the proper identification of patients, improvements on communication among the caregivers and improvements on the patients’ safety through the use of medication (Green & Bowie, 2010).

The directors of the joint commission have currently stated that the healthcare providers should ensure that their systems provide privacy for their patients’ information by complying with the standards set. The loss of compliance to the regulations could affect the stored information through its loss, unauthorized alterations and damage. Finally, the installation of these systems could make healthcare provider face legal suits thus the providers require to comply with the requirements of the Joint Commission to evade the cases and their repercussions (Joint Commission Resources, 2001).

ReferencesAbdelhak, M., (2007). Health Information: Management of a Strategic Resource. New York: Saunders/Elsevier.Green, M. A., Bowie, M. J. (2010). Essentials of Health Information Management: Principles and Practices. London: Cengage Learning.Joint Commission Resources. (2001). Essential Issues for Leaders: Emerging Challenges in Healthcare. San Francisco: Joint Commission Resources.