Electronic Health Records (EHR) Research Paper

Answer

Abstract

In the current global world, technological changes are recurrently incorporated, purposely to enhance operational efficiency. The medical field has implemented several technological advances like the practice management systems (PMS), electronic health records (EHRs), among others. An Electronic Health Record system (EHRs) refers to a digital form of a patient’s paper chart. EHRs are patient-centered, real-time records that enhance easy availability of information immediately and securely to its authorized users. Generally, an EHR system is developed to work beyond the standard clinical information as it can provide a broader view of a patient’s care. The historical perspective of the electronic systems dates it back to 2000, before its full implementation in 2010. Following the vast amount of patient data stored, the system is subject to a number of advantages and disadvantages. However, the impact has been vastly reduced due to the standing ethical considerations which work to ensure the system does not create any medical errors nor health concerns that will compromise the quality of care given to patients.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

Electronic Health Record (EHR) system refers to a digital form of a patient’s paper chart. According to Gartee (2016), HER systems are patient-centered, real-time records that enhance easy availability of information promptly and securely to authorized users. Whereas EHR has a patient’s medical and treatment histories, an EHR system is developed to work beyond the standard clinical information as it can provide a broader view of a patient’s care. It contains a patient’s medications, medical history, treatment plans, radiology images, medical dates, and test results (Hoerbst & Ammenwerth, 2010). It is an automated and streamlined workflow system. This paper reviews the history of electronic health records (EHRs), discusses the pros and cons of EHR systems, how EHRs help maintain accurate patient records, assess the specific types that are available to the health community, and highlight the ethical considerations needed when using EHRs.

The History of Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

EHRS came to the limelight back in the early 2000s. Nurses and other healthcare providers could document patient assessments, vital signs, and relevant lab results into a computer system for easy preservation and later access. The newly introduced process eased the ability of medical offices and providers in hospitals to access past patient records and identify immunization records, medication interactions, patient histories as well as previous diagnoses (McAlearney et al., 2014). This was significant for patients with several dissimilar healthcare specialists or providers responsible for their health and with numerous prescribed medications.

EHR practice would also duplicate after duplicate orders were entered, which saved both money and time. The ability to transfer and receive medical records from different facilities was also eased, which eliminated the hustle of waiting on documents or faxing. Recently, in 2010, EHRs made advancements to paperless systems since all data, lab reports, vital signs, and radiology results can be keyed into an electronic system using an encrypted system of recording healthcare information (Gartee, 2016). Using electronic tablets enables healthcare providers to easily access and store a patient’s healthcare information.

Advantages of Electronic Health Records

EHRs systems have a number of advantages. The systems endorse a standard record-keeping system that entails physician and staff notes, ordering processes and assessment findings. EHRs enable the healthcare team to easily access pertinent sections of the medical records. Data can, therefore, be effortlessly retrieved, and in some cases, between different healthcare organizations (Gartee, 2016). Computerized physician ordering has further helped to limit errors related to transcription errors and misinterpreted handwriting because mostly, EHRs have hard stops and flags especially when an order is incorrectly entered.

There is improved security and privacy for patients because patient records are not physically sent from one department or facility to another. This strategy has reduced the risks of losing patient identification or leaking private health information. Generally, EHRs brought increased efficiency because the systems enhance quicker documentation, which can be essential for patients needing emergency treatments (Gartee, 2016). This also facilitates improved patient care outcomes since most delays have been shortened.

Disadvantages of Electronic Health Records

Electronic medical record programs are however very expensive because apart from purchasing the software, organizations are required to train the practitioners and other staff in its use. Sometimes, they develop technical malfunctions which are a catastrophe to patient information. Healthcare practitioners can as well attest to the issue of over-standardization since it can be quite frustrating for healthcare practitioners to order for a certain thing only to find out that it has not been inputted into the systems. Such workarounds can create confusion, hindrances, and likely errors. EHRs create less patient interaction with their physicians.

How EHRs help maintain Accurate Patient Records

There are a number of ways through which EHRs help maintain accurate patient records. Apart from keeping a clear record of a patient’s allergies and medications, a qualified EHR equally automatically checks for possible issues every time a different and new medication is prescribed, and thereafter alerts the providers of potential conflicts (McAlearney et al., 2014). Data collected by a primary care physician and documented in the system informs all providers in the emergency department regarding a patient’s life-threatening allergy (Hoerbst & Ammenwerth, 2010). In such a case, the system can appropriately adjust even when a patient is unconscious. The systems have been designed in a way that they can readily expose potential safety concerns whenever they occur, and help providers avoid serious effects on patients, hence, leading to improved patient results (Gartee, 2016). EHRS enable providers to systematically and swiftly identify and correct operational issues. Identifying such issues can be quite challenging in a paper-based setting, and rectifying them can take centuries.

Available types to the Health Community

The available types of EHRs to the health community include the GE Healthcare Centricity system, which offers ambulatory options to integrate into routine workflow, MEDITECH, eClinicalWorks, InterSystems TrakCare, Care360, Intergy as well as the McKesson Software Solution.

Ethical Considerations needed when using EHRs

In practice, a number of ethical considerations are required when using EHRs. Certainly, autonomy means letting people make their own choices and build their lives in the context of a given society and in the dialogue of that same culture.  Any form of an EHR system is required to maintain a high respect for patient autonomy, and decisions should be made about the content, access and the ownership of the medical records (Nguyen, Bellucci, & Nguyen, 2014). Commonly, justice refers to fairness. With respect to the aspects of healthcare, justice is the duty to provide all associates with access to a high level of healthcare that meets the basic needs.

These systems have been confirmed beneficial, particularly when they are fully integrated, user-friendly, readily searchable, and developed under a properly-designed software and hardware. According to Hoerbst and Ammenwerth (2010), the systems allow a healthcare organization to provide high-quality care to a huge number of people and makes it more equitable through improved effectiveness and efficiency. EHRs should close any technology gaps, and provide equitable care access to all patients regardless of the socio-economic status or ethnicity.

The double principles of beneficence and non-maleficence are literally described as “do well” and “avoid evil” respectively. An outsized, yet interconnected EHR system contains a huge amount of raw information and a high potential of conducting groundbreaking public health and biomedical research. Thus, following the continuous designing of new EHR systems, patients should be given a chance to give release their data from the EHRs to researchers and related scientists. Similarly, approved researchers should be granted an authorization to access or analyze information that is made public (Gartee, 2016). Establishing a huge, research-compatible EHR system will be quite expensive and legally challenging, but the long term advantages are more valuable as compared to the initial costs.

Within the healthcare profession and context, the privacy and confidentiality of the medical information of a patient are sacred. Past medical studies confirm that the health records are acquainted with sensitive information that if let out, could possibly lead t breaching of patient data, medical errors, embarrassments, and loss of insurance or employment. It is important, therefore, to maintain strict confidentiality to establish an environment that readily facilitates the unrestricted and privileged sharing of sensitive patient data between practitioners and patients.

In conclusion, EHRs are patient-centered, real-time records that enhance easy availability of information immediately and securely to its authorized users. Historically, EHRs have progressively grown to paperless systems that increase the quality of patient care given to patients. Although it has a number of advantages, the system is still prone to various disadvantages which might compromise its operational ability. The EHRs systems are tied to a number of ethical considerations that healthcare institutions need to work in accordance with.