...Electronic Health Records: Impacts on the U.S Healthcare Industry Blake Redco 28 Feb 2016 Abstract The patient health record, serves “to recall observations, to inform others, to instruct students, to gain knowledge, to monitor performance, and to justify interventions” (IOM, 2014). Beginning in the latter half of the 20th century and continuing through present-day, patient health records have increased in use and function. A significant portion of patient records, treatment history, and medication data are still stored in paper format however, and full transition to digital formats is likely decades away, or may not be achieved for many more years to come. This text will examine the modern electronic health record (EHR), and how it impacts, and is impacted by, the U.S. healthcare industry in political, technical, and economical environments. The focus on how and why the transition process is occurring, and the challenges therein, will be prevalent throughout examination of the three environments. This is a subjective description, although not comprehensive exploration of factors surrounding the HER, and is not to be taken as criticism or advocacy of any component of U.S. health care policy and/or practices. In each of the environments described below, efforts have been made to provide considerable and timely data, as well as references to influential industry literature and legislation. However, due to the dynamic nature of policies and mandates, technologies, and...
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...Electronics Health Records The majority of Americans believe electronic medical records have the potential to improve U.S. health care and that the benefits outweigh privacy risks. Among those who have electronic medical records, half say they are very confident that the physicians and other health-care providers have a complete and accurate picture of their medical history, compared with 27% of those who do not have electronic records (Journal). What is Wrong with Paper Records? There are many issues with paper records such as, only one person can have the chart at a time, keeping track of chart location is difficult, delays in retrieving charts are common and aggravating, and hand writing is often illegible. Also, charts may be disorganized and information is hard to find. Some information does not get into the chart for many days. There are not enough tabs for all the different types of forms. Many trees are sacrificed to print encounter forms and health summaries for each visit, which causes charts to get very fat. Nevertheless, metal tabs break, and the charts fall apart (Juchem, 2009). What About Privacy and Security of Electronic Records? Computer security is no less important in EHR than it was before. Only users that are authorized should be given access to EHR and the level of their access must be consistent. If their password is in the bottom of the keyboard because they cannot remember it probably should not be given one in the first place. However...
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...Electronic Health Records By Kerri Robinson Hitt 1311 An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is an electronic version of a patient’s medical history, that is maintained by the provider over time, and may include all of the key administrative clinical data relevant to that persons care under a particular provider, including demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports. The EHR automates access to information and has the potential to streamline the clinician’s workflow. The EHR also has the ability to support other care related activities directly or indirectly through various interfaces, including evidence-based decision support, quality management, and outcomes reporting. EHRs are the next step in continued progress of healthcare that can strengthen the relationship between patient care and clinicians. The data and the timeliness and availability of it, will enable providers to make better decision and provide better care. For example, the EHR can improve patient care by: * Reducing the incidence of medical error by improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records. * Making the health information available, reducing duplications of tests, reducing delays in treatment, and patients will be better informed to make decisions. * Reducing medical errors by improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records. Electronic information can be accessed from anywhere and...
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...RUNNING HEAD: ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD Electronic Health Record Unit 1 Individual Project Katrina Hurst HLTH242-1102B-04 Instructor: Sandy Sanders Introduction: Over current years various health care corporations have made the decision to transfer from paper based patient records to computer based patient records. There are several individuals who believe that there are too many safety measures and privacy problems that can be produced with the use of a computer program to maintain medical records. Nonetheless, those individuals who believe in the switch also believe that such a change allows for health care providers to provide more efficient care for their patients in the long run. Definition and Information Contained Within: A concise justification in respect of what an Electronic Health Record (EHR) is, it is said to be electronic documentation of patients’ health data shaped by one or many appointments within health care facilities (NTCC, 2010). The data incorporated in an EHR are the patient’s demographics, progression notes commencing from prior states of health, any and all medical matters; including what medication the patient is presently receiving or has received in the past, the patient vital signs, all the patient’s past family medical histories, any immunization, along with both all laboratory and radiology results dealing with the patient’s health. With nearly every computerized system, there are both advantages and disadvantages, and in the...
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...Spread across the State of Florida, Nurse on Call, Inc (NOC), has become one of the larger home health agencies in this area; positively impacting patient care through the efficiency of its processes, systems, and staff. Initiating its business in 2003, NOC has always attempted to stay ahead of the competition with its creative and innovative technological advances. Currently, the company utilizes a homecare software product called Axxess. This is a web-based program that allows clinicians and physicians to provide safe and efficient care; while providing continuity. NOC has reduced cost and remained in compliance with its accreditation governing body through the use of this electronic records system. As with any health care organization, HIPAA is a huge factor in protecting all individuals. According to the US Department of Health & Human Services, “A major goal of the Security Rule is to protect the privacy of individuals’ health information while allowing covered entities to adopt new technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care” (“Summary,”(n.d). Through the implementation of Axxess, NOC has proven to uphold security of protected information. “Doctors using EHRs may find it easier or faster to track your lab results and share progress with you. If your doctors’ systems can share information, one doctor can see test results from another doctor, so the test doesn’t always have to be repeated” (“Privacy,” n.d). “EHR systems are backed up like...
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...Software in May 2011. To view the on demand version of the webinar, please visit www.healthcareitnews.com Sentara’s EHR solution bridges the gap between paper and electronic documents A ssembling a full-scale, workable electronic health record system is like solving a puzzle. There are multiple pieces, variables and options to coordinate. System designers at Sentara Healthcare in Norfolk, Va., faced this situation in 2003 when they embarked on their own EHR quest. Ultimately, the team decided on a comprehensive, integrated solution and not a single-source technology to meet their needs. The result: Roughly $34.5 million in business savings and benefits as of 2009. Aaron Koehler, a senior software engineer at Sentara, the nation’s top integrated health system ranked by Modern Healthcare magazine, played a key role in the project. In a recent Healthcare IT News webinar sponsored by Hyland Software, Koehler explained that there’s no cookie-cutter approach to implementing an EHR system. Health care providers must carefully assess what configuration best meets their needs. For Sentara, among other things, that meant including an enterprise content management (ECM) system as part of its EHR solution, the Sentara eCare Health Network®. This allowed the provider to effectively bridge the gap between paper and electronic documents. “When Sentara planned for its EHR system, we had an ‘a-ha’ moment that we’d still be dealing with paper down the line,” Koehler said. “Even with the best...
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...Abstract I am a complete advocate for switching to computer-based medical records. This is done completely electronically, versus the other paper method of dealing with medical records. Using hard copies of patient records are still commonly used in hospitals and doctor’s offices, but are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Healthcare professionals are trading in the traditional pen and notepad for electronic data entry and storage devices. Keeping records electronically allows all healthcare professionals involved to have access to all of the patient’s medical history, status of immunizations and lab results as well as x-rays. A record of the patient’s known allergies and medications, and billing and personal information such as height and weight. Electronic Health Records The submission of medical health records electronically has been helping the medical field, hospitals and doctors offices greatly since being implemented. Using electronic health records offers much better continuity, communication, coordination and accountability of patient records. I read in an article about EHRs and sums up what people using the computerized electronic health records feel, it seems that building a virtualization of EHRs can be very expensive, but ultimately works well. And does everything that they need it to. Hudson, NY-based Columbia Memorial Hospital has used an EHR to support its clinical works system since early 2010, one that serves 26 clinical locations and...
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...Electronic health records (also known as ‘e-notes’, EMR or EHR) have commonly replaced the conventional paper records used in medical facilities. EHRs are a longitudinal electronic record of patient health information generated by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting. Included in this information are patient demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data, and radiology reports”. Some of the basic benefits associated with EHRs include being able to easily access computerized records and the elimination of poor penmanship, which has historically plagued the handwritten medical chart. This technology can offer a more consistent method for open communication among physicians, nurses, labs and other clinical staff without relying on handwritten notes stored in a single-location, electronic health records can help with the time it takes to treat someone. Electronic health records have provided a solution to a range of health care procedures, have offered cost savings and benefits, and still have greater potential for improvement through future efforts. It is evident that the EHRs have shortcomings that are commonly noted and targeted, but they have solved many more problems inherent in previous systems, they are the ideal path for development and improvement for patients and healthcare providers. Electronic health records have allowed healthcare organizations to provide quality care all of its...
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...EHR mandate. The ONC-Coordinated Federal Health Information Technology Strategic Plan: 2008-2012 outlines the goals, objectives, and strategies set forth by different federal agencies to help develop a new health information technology infrastructure. The objective of the plan is to develop a patient centered health care system that improves the health of communities and the Nation (Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 2008). After Hurricane Katrina, our Nation discovered how easy it was to lose paper health care information. This catastrophic event showcased the value of a national electronic health care system that would keep medical records safe in the event of a natural disaster (Walker, 2005). I will examine the challenges my healthcare facility has faced in achieving the goals of this mandate, and what future plans are in place. In 2004 President George Bush created an executive order that would lay the foundation for a new health information technology infrastructure. This infrastructure would help improve health care quality, reduce medical errors, and increase effective exchange of health care information among health care providers. This system would also provide that Americans have access to electronic health records while keeping that information secure. The DHHS Synopsis informs us that (2008) “Underpinning that system is the ability for patients and providers to electronically share accurate health care information securely while protecting...
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...occupancy rate and has achieved HIMSS Stage 6 hospital EHR adoption. HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, himss.org) is a global, nonprofit organization dedicated to better health-care outcomes through IT. There are seven stages of EHR adoption, with Stage 7 be- ing a fully paperless environment. That means all clinical data are part of an electronic medical record and, as a result, can be shared across and outside the enterprise. At Stage 7, the health-care organization is getting full advantage of the health information exchange (HIE). HIE provides interoperability so that information can flow back and forth among physicians, patients, and health networks (Murphy, 2012). VUMC began collecting data as part of its EHR efforts in 1997. By 2009 the center needed stronger, more disciplined data management. At that time, hospital leaders initiated a project to build a data governance infrastructure. Data Governance Implementation VUMC’s leadership team had several concerns. 1. IT investments and tools were evolving rapidly, but they were not governed by HIM (Healthcare Information and Management) policies. 2. As medical records became electronic so they might be transmitted and shared easily, they became more vulner- able to hacking. 3. As new uses of electronic information were emerging, the medical center struggled to keep...
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...Electronic Health Record Functionality Standards or Certification HSM 330 DeVry University October 1, 2015 In describing how I would incorporate my findings into the HER selection and decision making process, I would analysis the criteria that must be met to qualify for functionality or certification. The basic functionality supports the belief that if a provider were armed with information about the functional capabilities of software, they would be better equipped to compare systems, resulting in making decisions about acquiring systems appropriate for their practice needs. The CCHIT, which is the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology, expects that the process of achieving goals of quality, safety, and cost effectiveness will accelerate initiatives toward the electronic health record. Electronic Health Record Functionality standards are or Certification is a ranking system for electronic health records systems. To qualify for HER certification, vendors had to meet more than 300 criteria devised by the Commission’s physicians, medical societies, vendors, and payer. Most of the requirements concerned HER functionality, security, and reliability. CCHIT, Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology, will ass new requirements for certification each year. Healthcare level H7, which is the application protocol for Electronic Data Exchange in healthcare environments, it is considered a gold standard benefit in the healthcare...
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...Electronic Health Records: Transforming Today’s Healthcare Abstract Electronic health records have been revolutionizing the healthcare industry by facilitating enhanced care and safety to the patients and potentially saving millions of dollars. The EHR is a longitudinal electronic record of patient health information compiled from all the different encounters that an individual comes upon in various different medical care settings and automates all the data, allowing providers to have all the information in one electronic record. Electronic health records have enormous benefits to offer the healthcare industry, an important one being that they are permanent and cannot be lost; however, it is imperative that all facilities take the time, effort, and resources to incorporate it into their systems. Electronic Health Records: Transforming Today’s Healthcare The electronic health record and the use of clinical informatics have made great strides in improving the quality of care we provide for the population and also saving the industry millions of dollars. “The EHR has the ability to generate a complete record of a clinical patient encounter - as well as supporting other care-related activities directly or indirectly via interface - including evidence-based decision support, quality management, and outcomes reporting.” (HIMSS, 2011) Nurses play an important role in helping to facilitate...
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...Health Care Information Systems Terms Sherrilynn Walters HCS/483 August 1, 2011 Health Care Information Systems Terms |Term |Definition |How It Is Used in Health Care | |Health Insurance Portability and |Health Insurance Portability and |Health Insurance Portability and | |Accountability Act |Accountability Act outlines the rules and |Accountability Act is used in healthcare to| | |regulation on protecting personal health |protect patients from having his or her | | |information of patients. |health information and identity shared | | | |unless it benefits the health of a patient.| | |Health Insurance Portability and | | | |Accountability Act states what information | | | |can and cannot be shared about a patient’s | | | |medical information and identity to | | | ...
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...Electronic health record (EHR) software powers computer systems that collect, collate, store and disseminate vital patient data. An EHR system includes hardware that allows physicians and other medical organizations to gather and store information, and the software defines how data is entered, manipulated, accessed and shared. Addressing Patient Privacy Concerns Associated With Web-Based EHR Software Both patients and private-practice providers are concerned about protecting privileged information. Those concerns are legitimate when you consider that illegally acquired medical data often garners more money on the black market than credit card files. Quoting a Security Week statistic, Wonder Doc reported there were more than 121 million data breaches – both medical and non-medical – between January and August...
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...Electronic Health Records The article summary that I selected for this week is about Electronic Health Records (EHR), education, and patient safety. EHR is a tool for health data documentation to improve quality of care, patient safety, and workflow efficiency. EHR technology requires appropriate training and education for medical personnel, especially nurses. According to Lavin, Harper, and Barr (2015), nurses should be more engaged in the selection process of the EHR system and they should participate in the decisions and recommendations of Information Technology department. The article explains that even though nurses agree that EHR has many benefits related to patient safety, outcomes, and workflow improvement, they also have concerns related...
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