Electronic Health Records Use in Small Healthcare Practices

1356 Words3 Pages

Electronic medical records have been around for more than 30 years, but since 2010 they have become widely adopted throughout the healthcare industry. Electronic health records (EHRs) are comprised of many components that work together to “automates access to information and has the potential to streamline the clinician's workflow” (“Electronic Health Record,” 2012). The system allows more efficient and accurate patient care while reducing costs in the long term for healthcare practices. Small healthcare practices have moved slowly in adopting electronic health record (EHRs) systems for their practices, their lack of readiness will cause the organizations problems in transitioning to the implementation of EHRs. This research paper will discuss why we need electronic health records (EHRs), the advantages of EHRs and some factors associated with rolling out successful electronic health records (EHRs) systems. Implementing electronic health record (EHRs) systems can help small healthcare practices reduce costs and increase the efficiency of treatment for patients.
Why do we need EHRs
Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are electronic versions of patient health information that is generated and managed by health information management systems. Patient health records include patient demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports (“Electronic Health Record,” 2012). Electronic health records allow: easy backup of information, patient records to be accessed remotely, easy storage of information, reduction in office space, and many other capabilities. According to Menachemi and Collum (2011), “three particular functionalities hold great promise...

... middle of paper ...

...print book)
Electronic Health Records. (2012). Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Retrieved from http://cms.hhs.gov/Medicare/E-Health/EHealthRecords (Corporate author; Technical report; Published on the Internet)
Henricks, S.G. (2011). “Meaningful use” of electronic health records and its relevance to laboratories and Pathologists. Journal of Pathology Informatics. 2:7. doi: 10.4103/2153-3539.76733
Menachemi, N., & Collum, T. (2011). Benefits and drawbacks of electronic health record systems. Risk Management Healthcare Policy. 4: 47–55 doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S12985.
Rao, S.R., DesRoches, C.M., Donelan, K., Campbell, E.G., Miralles, P.D. (2011) Electronic health records in small physician practices: Availability, use, and perceived benefits. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. 18:271e275. doi:10.1136/amiajnl-2010-000010.

Open Document