Electronic Health Record Systems
Using Electronic Health Record Systems in 21st Century
Technology has evolved to a point where it is employed in most fields in today’s society like in electronic health record systems. Since the main goal for technology is to make life simpler and more efficient for human beings, all technological advancements have various advantages that make it a desirable addition to any system of operations for organizations seeking to have an added boost in improving the efficiency involved in delivering products and services. Writers who offer nursing assignment help at Edudorm essay writing service notes that as such, the healthcare industry has been known to incorporate various forms of electronic health record systems to assist in delivering better care and quality services to the patients. An example is the use of electronic health record systems used for keeping records in health facilities. Despite the advantages that technology has to offer, there is still the possibility that the technology may have negative repercussions especially if it is not well implemented or if not well received by members of staff. This paper will therefore evaluate a case where the electronic health record systems were selected, implemented and used in a healthcare facility that previously used files that were hand written as records.
Before the Use of Electronic Health Record Systems
In the past, health institutions relied on hand written files containing patients’ information as a means of keeping records. The files contained all information regarding a patient and this included their current conditions, they type of treatment that was required, any medication offered to the patients and any other information that was deemed necessary for preserving the patient’s health (Detmer et al, 2009). The files were then kept in a store room where all medical staff could access the file if the needed to add or consult anything regarding a patient’s health background. While this was effective at first, it became cumbersome not only tracking a patient’s file but also storing the files for all patients with ties to a health institution. Storage was a major concern especially for large hospitals due to the high number of patients who check in looking for medical assistance. As a result, different avenues had to be pursued so as to find a better and more convenient way of storing medical records.
Among the various methods considered, the most favored was the use of electronic health record systems. Although it is a new method of record keeping, various professionals have implemented its use one of them being Dr. Domingo G. Aviado who is a practitioner in Milford, Delaware. Dr. Aviado has more than 4,000 active patients under his care and he has been using the electronic health record systems since 2001 (Avidado, 2017). In his practice, he encounters at least two cases of colorectal cancer every year and with the number expected to increase with time. Authors who offer pharmacology course help at Edudorm essay writing service points that in order to prevent the occurrence of colorectal cancer or note its symptoms earlier in advance so as to facilitate treatment, Dr. Aviado had to sought out a new method to evaluate is patient’s health. The solution was found in electronic health record systems as they allowed him to screen for colorectal cancer among his patients so as to catch the disease in its early stages when something could be done to improve the patient’s health. Although the process was challenging, Dr. Aviado was successful in selecting, planning and implementing electronic health record systems in his organization (Avidado, 2017).
Setting Electronic Health Record Systems
The first stage in his process involved conducting an assessment to see if the organization was ready for electronic health record systems. At this stage, an assessment was conducted to test the efficiency of the organization and whether it was necessary to switch to electronic health record systems. The assessment tested for various aspects among which were; the efficiency of the administrative process; the data collection method used; computer literacy of staff members; availability of finance; staff’s attitude towards electronic health record systems; and the quality of health service that was offered at the hospital (Detmer et al, 2009). The evaluation revealed that, through electronic health record systems, the hospital would be able to offer better quality of care to the patients. This is especially because the new systems would make it more convenient to update records and access them from different sections of the hospital. Experts who offer nursing writing help at Edudorm essay writing service indicates that the ease of access would allow doctors to have access to the all the information regarding a patient fast and convenient enough to serve them better. As for the staff, the electronic health record systems would make it easier to store, access and update records whenever necessary. This means that all caregivers will have up to date information which will enhance treatment as the health caregivers will have all the information regarding a patient’s health. Since the goal is to offer the best quality of care to patients while ensuring that staffs are in a good working environment, the project to implement the use of electronic health record systems moved into the planning stage (Detmer, 2009).
The planning stage mainly involved deciding which tasks would be brought to a halt, which new tasks would be put in their place and what tasks would continue to be used in the hospital after the implementation of electronic health record systems (Ginsberg, 2017). All the processes in the hospital were evaluated to see how the hospital functions with the current file record keeping method. After this, new work flow patterns were created to improve on the process that the hospital ran on in the past while enhancing efficiency. A plan was then set in motion to have all the data stored in paper transferred into the electric systems so as to ensure that all medical records were updated. A contingency plan was also set in play to help make the records accessible in case any issues were encountered during and after the implementation process. Any challenges and concerns were addressed accordingly and security measures set in place to ensure that the information stored on the new systems would be confidential as well as effective in offering better quality of care to patients (Ginsberg, 2017).
The next phase involved selecting the most ideal electronic health record system to implement. The hospital considered the most ideal system that would help in meeting the goals the switch from paper record keeping to electronic was expected to achieve. The hospital had to consider the price of implementing the system (Ginsberg, 2017). This included any cost incurred when purchasing software and hardware, maintenance cost, cost for upgrades and any other charges that would be incurred along the way. The security of the system and its ability to blend in with the hospitals process of operation were also considered before settling for the system that was deemed to be ideal for the organization. After selecting the electronic health record systems, the plan moved into the implementation phase. Implementation not only involved incorporating the system into the hospital but also training members of staff how to use it (Ginsberg, 2017). For this purpose, mock trials and pilot testing was conducted where members of staff were trained through simulations to show them how the system operates. The employees were guided on everything they needed to know about the new system in order to ensure that the transition was as smooth as possible.
Advantages of Electronic Health Record Systems
In today’s society, medical professionals are required to be accountable for the safety and health of all patients under their care. Because of this, most, if not all medical decisions must be based on some form of evidence which supports why a certain decision has to be made. Because of this, health organizations are required to keep records of what they do and why various decisions had to be made (Susan, 2010). Tutors who offer Medicare assignment help at Edudorm essay writing service acknowledges that with such policies, health organizations had to come up with convenient and accurate ways of ensuring that caregivers had all the information needed regarding a patient before making a decision. While this may have been challenging in the past, the introduction of electronic health record systems ensures that all caregivers have access to all the information regarding a patient provided they have access to a computer. Through these systems, health institutions ensure that all decisions are based on background information and that the choice of treatment is well informed. This will not only help the healthcare industry to offer better quality of health but also reduce the risk of being held accountable for any medical lawsuits or errors incurred (Edwards, 2010).
Challenges of this Technology
After the implementation process, Dr. Aviado stated that the only mistake that is worth mentioning throughout the process was that he failed to train the employees adequately enough before launching the new systems into use. Good knowledge on how to use the electronic health record systems is a key element in improving efficiency and achieving the goals that were set in the planning phase. However, he was unable to fully train all employees and although the program has been a success, this remains to be the one area that the leader would love to go over again. Since it is a new approach at offering health services, training is important as it will help all practitioners to improve on their skills and competence when using the new systems. However, he hoped that the training that was offered was adequate enough and that employees will learn as days went by. Despite this, the electronic health record systems has been quite beneficial and patients are getting the level of quality care they deserve thus making it a worthy venture not only for this organization but also for other health institutions.
References
Aviado, G. (2017). “Dr Aviado’s patients list help save a life”
Detmer E, Kouroubali A, Lorenzi M and Mayrl B, (2009), “How to successfully select and implement electronic health records (HER) in small ambulatory practices”
Edwards, (2010) “Access: reform will boost health care coverage, but the consequences won’t be nearly as cut and dried as you might expect” Hospital & Health Networks.
Ginsberg D, (2017), “Succesful preparation and implementation of an electronic health record system” Priva Plan Associates.
Susan B. (2010) “The Evidence-Based Road.” Healthcare Executive. American College of Healthcare Executives.
