Electronic Health Record.

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Introduction.

Before the 1960s, all healthcare and medical records were kept in papers through manual filling systems. All other medical operations such as diagnoses, lab reports, medical directions, and visit notes were all done manually, which witnessed many errors that reduced the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of healthcare services offered to patients. Later in the 1970s, engineers had developed sophisticated medical records systems for universities and hospitals. In the 1970s Federal government adopted the use of the EHR system in medical practices, and this made a great impact in the medical sector as it eliminated the use of manual writing and records(Dugar). An electronic health record is described as a digital version of a patient’s medical history that offers real-time, patient-based records that healthcare providers maintain over time and perhaps makes the patients’ medical details available instantly and secured from unauthorized parties(Dugar). Based on the question, this research paper will focus on explaining the benefits of EHR electronic health records to humans, and the society at larger and among the services that will be discussed include; EHR provides convenient ways of accessing and tracking the medical history of a patient, eliminate medical errors, allow medical practitioners to access evidence-based tools that they can use to make decisions, develop treatment plans about client’s care and perhaps automate and streamline healthcare professional’s workflow(Dugar). This paper will also present more insights on how EHR increases patient participation, improves medical coordination, improves diagnostic and patient treatment outcomes, and promotes practice efficiency and cost savings. Finally, the paper will also be addressed EHR may be prone to some flaws and glitches such as increased privacy and safety concerns, lack of interoperability, loss of productivity, among many other drawbacks(Green).

Reviewing of literature.

EHR technology is an important research topic since it directly concerns the healthcare systems, which is the most sensitive sector in the United States(Green). EHR as an exciting research topic will be of great help to both healthcare professionals and nurse students as it will provide in-depth knowledge about how technology has revolutionized the healthcare system and perhaps changed the manner in which both patients and healthcare providers could access their details alongside medical history to help provide patient-centered care.

Electronic health record (EHR) software can be described as computer software or a system that helps healthcare professionals effectively manage patients’ medical records and automate clinical workflows. Since the adoption, implementation, and utilization of electronic health records in the early 1970s have positively transformed healthcare organizations. Unlike traditional health record-keeping, which was tiresome and inclined to many errors, the deployment of EHR has helped clinicians and other medical practitioners have a convenient way of accessing and tracking the medical history of patients. Nurses are able to access, refer and trace the treatment journey of the patient, a factor that helps them provide the most effective healthcare services(Green).

Besides that, EHR is the most convenient way of keeping and updating medical records since the information is usually stored in a digital document format that can be easily edited and updated without affecting the original format(Green). This helps to minimize errors associated with manual work and the risks of losing some files. Additionally, EHR helps create customizable templates used for taking notes during patient encounters and facilitating the easy generation of clinical reports on practice efficiency and compliance as expected from various government programs(Reportlinker).

Moreover, ERH allows healthcare providers to communicate effectively among the staff members and, above all, provided medical practitioners with evidence-based tools that can be used in making appropriate decisions that facilitate in developing an appropriate patient treatment plan. It benefits mankind and the society at large by enhancing automation of medical processes alongside streamlining healthcare professional workflow and as well allow easy connection between the patients and physicians from remote areas using mobile devices, particularly during telemedicine sessions (Reportlinker).

Perhaps EHR increases patient participation, accelerates and improves diagnostic and patient outcomes’ plays a critical role in reducing missed clinical follow-ups and enhancing reporting functionality within the healthcare system, which allows healthcare professionals to participate in government-run EHR incentive programs effectively(Green). From research conducted on the benefits of HER, it can be conducted that these systems promote practice efficiency and help in cost saving as there will be minimal time wastage and reduced manpower to offers medical services related to updating, recording, and keeping safe medical information. Among the details contained in the EHR system including details of medical history, medications, radiology images, allergies, patient’s treatment plans, and laboratory results.

However, the HER system has some flaws and glitches that perhaps make it ineffective at some levels; these drawbacks include increased concerns over privacy, security, and safety issues that make patients fearful in providing their personal details for use in electronic health records(Green). Also, insufficient interoperability makes the system inconvenient since several healthcare systems and devices cannot share data with the HER system. Lastly, HER may lead to loss of productivity through wastage of time as it may take a long time for clinicians to accomplish tasks due to insufficient training of users(Green).

Advantages of electronic health records.

EHR helps healthcare organizations to provide better quality care and other services. This is achieved through quick access to patients’ records, resulting in more effective and efficient treatment and maintenance of the patient. In addition to that, EHR helps healthcare providers with analytic tools that facilitate easy recognition patterns, predict diagnosis, and recommend potential treatment options(Dugar). These analytical tools assist healthcare professionals in achieving successful overall treatment objectives, increasing patients’ satisfactory services. On the patient’s side, this technology provides them with access rights to their medical portal, which provides them with their medical history details, lab, and imaging results, diagnosis, among others. With this information right in the patient’s portal, patients are able to communicate with their physicians by exchanging instant messages, sharing notes, or even video calling.

Disadvantages of electronic health records.

Although EHR has numerous benefits in the healthcare system, there are a few glitches and flaws that make it ineffective to some level. Among the challenges of EHR include increased potential for privacy and security issues. The second disadvantage is that many patients do not understand data in their portals, thereby ending up misinterpreting details within their portal. Finally, this technology may be complex to some medical staff, leading to much confusion, an aspect that makes it hard to offer effective services that are patient-centered. (Dugar).

Conclusion.

Unlike traditional records, ERH has streamlined workflow within the healthcare sector by minimizing errors, improving patient comes, and providing convenient ways of accessing, updating, and tracking client’s information. Nevertheless, ERH presents many challenges, such as increased privacy and safety issues, lack of interoperability, and loss of production(Green).

Works Cited

Dugar, D. “Benefits of Electronic Health Records | EHR Advantages & Disadvantages.” 2017, www.selecthub.com/medical-software/benefits-of-ehr-systems/.

Green, J. “Disadvantages of EHR Systems – Dispelling Your Fears.” 2019, www.ehrinpractice.com/ehr-system-disadvantages.html.