...records (EMR). But does the use of the EMRs benefit patients or does it put patient confidentiality at risk? First, to understand the impact EMRs have on each and every one of us, understanding of EMRs is necessary. “An electronic medical record is a digital version of a paper chart that contains all of a patient’s medical history from one practice”. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , 2012) EMRs allow medical providers to access information quickly and accurately. There are many benefits to using EMRs over paper copies, such as allowing providers to track data over time, identify patients who are due for preventive visits and screenings, monitor how patients measure up to certain parameters, and most importantly improve overall quality of care in a practice. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , 2012) Paper copies of medical records require enormous amounts of storage space to maintain compared to EMRs. Providers are required that records be retained for a certain amount of time. “Providers should keep health information for at least the period specified by the state's statute of limitations or for a sufficient length of time for compliance with laws and regulations”. (Donna M. Fletcher, Gwen Hughes, & Harry Rhodes, 2011) Physicians tend to have poor handwriting, thus electronic versions can alleviate any errors from illegible records. Do the benefits of using EMRs outweigh the ethical issues that it may impose? Two downsides of EMRs are the...
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...Obama has presented to American public within the stimulus package on modernizing our medical records to Electronic Medical Records (EMR) management. So far one can only understand that most of the existing medical software application was developed and probably designed by medical specialists that might not understand the total functionality of creating user friendly interfaces and a well secured application. Most software applications are can be so inflexible that when new ideas need to be implemented it becomes quite difficult to redesign. The complexity at hand now is designing an application that is secure as well as flexible to change. Not all medical offices are used for the same functionality so why not develop medical software applications for EMR that deliver and perform the same. Throughout this paper an approach will focus on addressing development of medical software application specific enough to meet a particular need, but general enough to be reusable across similar applications. Electronic Medical Records (ERM): development of medical software application Medical application design for Electronic Medical Records (EMR) has increased over the past several years because our government and medical doctors are concerned about cost. These are key drivers of EMR and will continue to drive purchasing of EMR systems soon. EMR stands for Electronic Medical Records which allow for doctors as well as medical organizations to create multidisciplinary documentation...
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...Department of Gary Job Corps Center Definition: Healthcare industry is being faced by a major threat that is misuse of patient health information. To protect the patient and their families during their job transition or the unemployment period and to protect the patient health information from being misused the U.S Congress ratified HIPAA i.e. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. HIPAA protects patients and their families in times of their unemployment by providing them with Health Insurance at that particular time. (Wikipedia, 2011) The area of study this research addresses is the health care industry and the processes within. Healthcare industry is one industry that is always successfully operational because human being is exposed to the threat of illness every second. Since health care industry is always operational, the competition within the industry is extremely high. The competition is not only about who provides the best services, but it is also about who provides the best protection to the patients in terms of managing their information as well as protecting them in times of need. The subject under consideration is to study the health department of Gary Job Corps Center and develop a procedure that is compliant with HIPAA. The procedure in focus will be the management of patient health information and its security maintenance in compliance with HIPAA. The proposed solution will be given in consideration of the basic...
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...EMRs in the Workplace Michael Morgan CIS/207 February 18, 2013 James Bachelor EMRs in the Workplace There are many ways information flows in a company, and there are several different systems that can be implemented to control such flow. The medical field is starting to transition paper charting into an EMR (Electronic Medical Record) database system that is purchased by the company. My wife’s work is going live with Epic on March 1, 2013. Epic is a brand of an EMR system. According to Health Worldnet, EMR’s have several benefits; however, it has a few worry-some risks. The benefits are standardizing charting, reduction of errors, save resources, and reduce missing documents. The downsides are less opinionated charting and patient privacy. Key benefits The EMR will bring charting standardization and reduces errors within the facility. With paper charting health care providers made errors because of poor penmanship and non-standardized terminology. With the EMR’s categorized approach eliminates most of this issue. The EMR still has a couple of spots with the text box for notes, but there will not be any issues with spelling or penmanship. The health care providers will only have to worry about deferring terminologies. The EMR will also save resources and lower the risk lost documentation. The EMR stores and saves data to a server that allows health care providers access to the patient’s digital medical record. This will prevent the loss of documentation from a paper...
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...important things that go together. In this communication paper I will be explaining different methods of using the electronic medical records. When using electronic medical records this helps keep track of all the patients health records, and this has become a huge part of communication with the patient and physician. Recording information on paper has been the method of life for years and it is slowly being replaced by using computer technology and for years it has been slowly moving ahead. The EMR system is at the heart of any automated health information systems by consumers. If they were not in existence then other up to date technologies such as decision support systems, cannot be effectively integrated into the custom clinical workflow. There are many advantages in EMR but the main advantage of Electronic Medical Record software completion is better efficiency, using an EMR system saves the effort and time so that patient’s health information is always readily available, and it helps with monitoring of the patients from a distance, and furthermore performance of electronic health records system saves office room that is naturally necessary to store the paper, none-electronic medical records. As the use of electronic medical records becomes widespread so does the need to search and provide effective information. There are a lot of benefits to gain by using the electronic medical records system, your information is secured from all the public and the rights of HIPPA secures...
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...Security and Privacy Donetta Bacon March 14, 2016 HCS 533 Catherine Doughty Security and Privacy Case Scenario two takes place in a small town that was hit by hurricane. The concern is the basement of the organization was flooded by the storm. This caused damage to patient files, and some was washed away when the water receded. Developing an idea to address patients who ask about his or her health record is a must. There also has to be a process that is in place in an event, such as a hurricane that protects the records. There will also be a detailed discussion on a management plan. With that comes training provided to staff within the management plan. With a new management plan, it will need to be implemented and those procedures will be discussed. There will also be a code of conduct included within this plan. Action when Patient wants Health Record Had it been in the basement meaning it would have likely destroyed the health records due to the flood. Most doctors will not make any rash decisions without knowing what was on that medical record. The best situation is to sit down with the doctor and examine the patient’s medical history so a new medical record can be made. This may require additional test and procedures done so the doctor can cover bases to protect him or her without compromising the patient's life. Management Plan A plan should be in place making sure that records of the patients are secure in any case of catastrophic events. One way...
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...for psychologists in keeping documented records of patient visits. Confidentiality limits have broadened, making use of the electronic medical record more complicated for the psychologist practitioner, particularly when serving as part of a multidisciplinary team. As the electronic medical record (EMR) has become more prevalent in multiple settings, various researchers have examined the effectiveness of this record keeping system, with a focus on improving patient outcomes. The risks and benefits of implementing an EMR will be discussed, focusing on specific considerations for psychologists in regard to confidentiality and interdisciplinary collaboration. Keywords: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), electronic medical record (EMR), confidentiality How much information is appropriate to place in an electronic medical record (EMR), especially when that record is accessible to professionals throughout an organization (i.e., a hospital setting)? This question has become an important topic of discussion and research as EMRs become more prevalent in larger institutions, such as academic medical centers and community mental health centers. With the implementation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), psychologists find themselves facing the struggle of how to best improve treatment through multidisciplinary collaboration while also protecting individuals’ privacy and...
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...provisions to define, specify, and protect patient health information. This legislation formulates the processes for the use and de-identification of the data and authorization of that data's use in research and analytics. Healthcare "covered entities" are bound by the constraints of HIPAA to protect private health information. HIPAA training and enforcement is utilized throughout the health care industry, to include providers, payors, patients and a host of ancillary entities. These ancillary organizations can include the insurance industry, schools, employers, public health agencies, and various research organizations. Individuals, organizations, and agencies must comply with the regulations and rules to protect the “privacy and security of health information” (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services., n.d. pp.1). Electronic Medical Record An Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is the documentation, and utilization of a consumer’s health care encounter, created and managed by the providers and staff within one health care organization (Wager, K. A., Lee, F. W., & Glaser, J. P. 2013). The majority of health care records are currently in the format of EMRs. Basic office formatted systems include patient demographic information, patient problem lists, clinical notes, orders for prescriptions, and ancillary test results, including radiology and laboratory. In 2009, approximately 41.5% of physician offices used at least a basic EMR system (Centers for Disease Control...
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...issue. The overriding compliance requirements that this industry faces are dictated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), enacted by Congress in 1996. HIPAA was designed to protect the privacy of patients’ medical records and restrict who has access to them. Regulatory compliance for the healthcare industry is a hot-button issue. The overriding compliance requirements that this industry faces are dictated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), enacted by Congress in 1996. HIPAA was designed to protect the privacy of patients’ medical records and restrict who has access to them. The latest HIPAA standards surrounding the security and privacy of patient data makes many in the healthcare industry understandably cautious about adopting new technologies. In the past, healthcare companies preferred to keep any electronic data concerning business operations and patient care behind a secure firewall. Now, HIPAA omnibus and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) requirements stipulate everyone in the healthcare industry begin migrating patient records and other data to cloud computing. Essentially, by 2015, all medical professionals with access to patient records must utilize electronic medical and health records (EMR and EHR), or face penalties. A recent study by the firm MarketsandMarkets indicates that the healthcare cloud computing market, which is only currently about 4% of the industry, is expected to grow to nearly...
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...Week 2 Discussion Question 1 4 * Identify the problems associated with patient confidentiality * Discuss the purpose of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. * Describe the information to which the Privacy Rule refers and how it applies to your profession. * Discuss the penalties for noncompliance with HIPAA. * Discuss electronic medical record (EMR) and its importance. Answers: 1) The disclosure of personal information could cause professional or personal problems; patients rely on physicians to keep their medical information private. It is rare for medical records to remain completely sealed, however. The most benign breach of confidentiality takes place when clinicians share medical information as case studies. When this data is published in professional journals the identity of the patient is never divulged, and all identifying data is either eliminated or changed. If this confidentiality is breached in any way, patients may have the right to sue. 2) In the year of1996 the Health Insurance portability and Accountability Act requires all professionals and organizations to guard the privacy of their patients and customers. Individuals must provide written consent for any and all releases of medical or health-related information. Employees at all levels are required to maintain confidentiality. Similar policies have been in place for some time. This was a requirement of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare...
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...issue. The overriding compliance requirements that this industry faces are dictated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), enacted by Congress in 1996. HIPAA was designed to protect the privacy of patients’ medical records and restrict who has access to them. Regulatory compliance for the healthcare industry is a hot-button issue. The overriding compliance requirements that this industry faces are dictated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), enacted by Congress in 1996. HIPAA was designed to protect the privacy of patients’ medical records and restrict who has access to them. The latest HIPAA standards surrounding the security and privacy of patient data makes many in the healthcare industry understandably cautious about adopting new technologies. In the past, healthcare companies preferred to keep any electronic data concerning business operations and patient care behind a secure firewall. Now, HIPAA omnibus and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) requirements stipulate everyone in the healthcare industry begin migrating patient records and other data to cloud computing. Essentially, by 2015, all medical professionals with access to patient records must utilize electronic medical and health records (EMR and EHR), or face penalties. A recent study by the firm MarketsandMarkets indicates that the healthcare cloud computing market, which is only currently about 4% of the industry, is expected to grow to nearly...
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...consistent with APA guidelines. Term | Definition | How Used in Healthcare | Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) | HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a US law designed to provide privacy standards to protect patients' medical records and other health information provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals and other health care providers. | HIPAA should be used in all health care settings because it protects patients and deals with privacy rights. The new standards provide patients with access to their medical records and more control over how their personal health information is used and disclosed. So if someone other than the patient’s calls into a medical facility trying to get information about the patients care, the clerk is not allowed to give the person any information unless instructed by the patient that the person is permitted to have the information. | Electronic medical record | Electronic medical record also know as EMR is is a computerized medical record created in an organization that delivers care. Electronic medical records tend to be a part of a local stand-alone health information system that allows storage, retrieval and modification of records. | EMR is used in mostly doctor’s offices and hospitals. Instead of using paper files for charting they have found that using a computer to input the information is...
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...was struck by Hurricane Katrina. The flooding from Katrina destroyed most of the patient files stored in the basement of the facility. Measures were put into place prior to the catastrophic event that allowed patients to obtain their medical records to be treated at another facility and to help with the identification process of those who lost their lives. These measures will be discussed in detail in this paper. Management Plan Plans should be in place to make sure that patient records are secure in case of catastrophic events. A way to address this is to institute using an electronic medical record (EMR) and scan all paper-based medical records into an online system that will be maintained at an offsite area ("Paper-plagued to paperless", 2003). Paper charts, after the conversion to an online system should be stored until the time in which disposal can take place either by shredding or burning to make them “rendered essentially unreadable, indecipherable, and otherwise” reconstructed (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services [U. S. DHHS], n.d., p. 1). GCH, in response to the possibility of this type of catastrophic event, began moving to EMR in 2000. Staff training began immediately on EMR use. As an administrator of a hospital located in an area prone to hurricanes, priority is placed on preparing the staff for the possibility of a mass catastrophe. Staff is trained on privacy issues such as Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and...
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...Jacqueline Carothers HSM 330/Health Services Info Systems Professor Natasha Celestin Table of Contents………………………………………………… I. Introduction of NueMD EMR……………………………………………… A. Practice Management………………………………………………... 1. Patient Registration…………………………………………….... 2. Reimbursement Management II. Uses of NueMD EMR Software…………………………………………….. A. Advantages of using NuMD EMR…………………………………… B. Disadvantages of the product…………………………………………. III. Governance, Privacy, and Legal Issues…………………………………….. A. Privacy compliance – HIPAA………………………………………… 1. Liability…………………………………………………………….. 2. Legal Interoperability ……………………………………………... 3. HIPAA Audits……………………………………………………… IV. Benefits of using NueMd EMR software versus the previous software …... A. Inpatients EMR………………………………………………………… B. Patient Accounting and Patient Management…………………………... 1. NueMd Case Studies……………………………………………….. 2. Partnerships and Affiliations……………………………………….. V. Summary VI. References NueSoft technologies, Inc. is a provider of web based medical and practice management software. Nue soft also known as NueMD medical software. Nuesoft technology headquarter and was established in 1993 in Marietta Georgia by Massoudd Alibaksh. The company develops and sells practice management software for physicians, practices, medical billing companies, Nusoft also known as NueMD that is a flagship product which...
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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 on the...
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