Patient-Centric Healthcare
Over the past five years, numerous legislative acts have fundamentally changed the way the country thinks about healthcare. Nowhere have the changes been felt more than for those delivering care. However, often providers do not stop and consider how the changes affect patients, which is unfortunate as patient acceptance and participation in their healthcare can improve outcomes. Murphy (2011) concurred that healthcare should revolve around the patient rather than the patient treated as a passive participant. Her viewpoint extended to implementing health information technology (HIT) that is patient-centric and collaborative in helping patients become a full partner in their preventative self-care and disease management.
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There are obvious benefits to the technology such as quick access to patient information, efficient and faster billing, and lower storage costs. In addition, there are huge advantages to linking laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy information to the larger EHR. According to Murphy (2011), linking this data is very patient-centric as it lessens the likelihood of repeating tests, thus better care decisions happen when current data is available. However, there are cons to the technology that are hampering its full acceptance. In the digital age, the public is becoming aware of how pervasive computers are to our everyday lives. Computers run our cars; manage our financial matters, and numerous other daily functions. In addition, computers and electronic information allow medical devices to function and more often than not, track our medical footprints. When the shift to EHR was nearly mandated, the one consideration not taken into account is the public’s mistrust of how the healthcare industry uses this information. Certainly, those in the healthcare industry want to keep their patients healthy, heal them when illness develops, and develop better ways of treating disease; however, the medical industry, like all businesses, are motivated by profit. According to Blankenhorn (2010), medical records, from pharmacy records …show more content…
The advances in medicine have dovetailed with technology, although this has often been an uneasy relationship. While the public can celebrate the positives of high-tech medicine and technology, its downside has been a loss of personal connection and fears of how patient information is used. The reality is, healthcare information technology is moving forward, but with an ear for improving performance by admitting its shortcomings and seeking ways to avoid patient rejection of all it has to offer. As improvements are made, CPOE has the potential to reduce medical errors by clarifying information before adverse events occur. Electronic health records and the sharing of vital information can perform remarkably well in reducing repeat testing and maintaining continuity of care between providers. As with any new system, HIT will evolve and with great hope and determination, change the way healthcare is delivered in the United
For years now, the healthcare system in the United States have managed patient’s health records through paper charting, this has since changed for the better with the introduction of an electronic medical record (EMR) system. This type of system has helped healthcare providers, hospitals and other ambulatory institutions extract data from a patient’s chart to help expedite clinical diagnosis and providing necessary care. Although this form of technology shows great promise, studies have shown that this system is just a foundation to the next evolution of health technology. The transformation of EMR to electronic heath record system (EHR) is the ultimate goal of the federal government.
The goal of the program is to increase EHR adoption, improve quality, safety, reduce disparities, and improve public health (HMSA, 2012). The Meaningful Use program was set up for implementation in three stages over a five-year period. The first stage ended in 2012 and involved evaluating health trends, and finding out methods to engage patients and families in their own care. Stage two focuses on advanced data sharing, such as e-prescribing and electronic exchange of patient information between professionals. Stage three’s focus will be on outcomes, patient access to care and self-help care tools for patients, such as access to their medical records.... ...
Portability can improve patient care. Patients no longer have to “tote” their cumbersome medical records around anymore. EHR’s give physicians and clinicians access to critical healthcare information in the palm of their hand, which ultimately leads to improved patient care outcomes. EHR’s also provide security to vital medical and personal healthcare information. Organizations like HIPPA defines policies, procedures and guidelines for preserving the privacy and security of discrete distinguishable health information (HHS.gov,
It was just yesterday when Electronic health records was just introduced in healthcare industry. People were not ready to accept it due to higher cost and consumption of time associated in training people and adopting new technology. Despite of all this criticism, use of Internet and Electronic Health records are now gaining its popularity among health care professionals, as it is the most effective way to communicate with patient and colleagues. More and more hospitals and clinics are getting rid of paper base filling system and investing in cloud base storage.
Unfortunately, the quality of health care in America is flawed. Information technology (IT) offers the potential to address the industry’s most pressing dilemmas: care fragmentation, medical errors, and rising costs. The leading example of this is the electronic health record (EHR). An EHR, as explained by HealthIT.gov (n.d.), is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. It includes, but is not limited to, medical history, diagnoses, medications, and treatment plans. The EHR, then, serves as a resource that aids clinicians in decision-making by providing comprehensive patient information.
Healthcare professionals associated with medical billing and coding know the progress the technology has made so far. In the last few decades, medical billing and coding has switched from being a paper-based system to a computerized format. Under HIPAA laws, medical practitioners had to develop new software in order to send out electronic bills. With the advent of electronic medical records (EMR), with one touch of a button, doctors, Nurse Practitioners and PAs can gain access to all the care a patient has ever received from every healthcare facility the patients visited previously and can figure out possible illnesses. This enables statistical documentation of the population as a whole as well. EMR can also make the healthcare system more transparent and allow integration with reimbursement data. As the healthcare system changes, this will prevent unnecessary costs and make it easier to get the reimbursements needed to treat a patient.
“An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. EHRs are real-time, patient-centered records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users.” (healthit.gov) The EHR mandate was created “to share information with other health care providers and organizations – such as laboratories, specialists, medical imaging facilities, pharmacies, emergency facilities, and school and workplace clinics – so they contain information from all clinicians involved in a patient’s care.” ("Providers & Professionals | HealthIT.gov", n.d., p. 1) The process has proved to be quite challenging for providers. As an incentive, the government began issuing payments to those providers who “meaningfully use certified electronic health record (EHR) technology.” (hhs.gov) There are three stages that providers must progress through in order to receive theses financial incentives. Stage one is the initial stage and is met with the creation and implementation of the HER in the business. Stage two “increases health information exchange between providers.” ("United States Department of Health and Human Services | HHS.gov", n.d., p. 1) Stage three will be the continuation and expansion of the “meaningful use objectives.” ("United States Department of Health and Human Services | HHS.gov", n.d., p. 1) The hospital, where I work, initiated the HER mandate many years ago. In this paper, I will discuss the progression and the challenges that my hospital encountered while implementing the EHR mandate.
Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a digital collection of patient health information instead of paper chart that captures data at the point of collection, supports clinical decision-making and integrates data from multiple sources in any care delivery settings. The health record includes patient’s demographics, progress notes, past medical history, vital signs, medications, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports. National Alliance for the Health Information Technology defines EHR as, “ an electronic record of health-related information on an individual that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability standards and that can be created, managed, and consulted by authorized clinicians and staff across more
Advances in technology have influences our society at home, work and in our health care. It all started with online banking, atm cards, and availability of children’s grades online, and buying tickets for social outings. There was nothing electronic about going the doctor’s office. Health care cost has been rising and medical errors resulting in loss of life cried for change. As technologies advanced, the process to reduce medical errors and protect important health care information was evolving. In January 2004, President Bush announced in the State of the Union address the plan to launch an electronic health record (EHR) within the next ten years (American Healthtech, 2012).
The purpose of this paper is to discuss how Electronic Medical Records (EMR), affects healthcare delivery. I will discuss the positives and negatives this issue has on healthcare and how it effects the cost and quality for healthcare services. In addition, I will identify any potential trade-offs to cost or quality. Lastly, I will discuss how the EMR affects my job as well as any challenges or opportunities this issue presents.
Also, these studies question those who are effected; in this case, those who are most effected, is everyone. Doctors and nurses spend the most time working within these systems, but the information that is put into these systems effects every individual in America, because it is their information. Because nurses are often considered “both coordinators and providers of patient care” and they “attend to the whole patient,” their opinion is highly regarded (Otieno, Toyama, Asonuma, Kanai-Pak, & Naitoh, 2007, p. 210). It is clear that the use of these new systems is much debated, and many people have their own, individualized opinion. This information suggests that when there is a problem in the medical field, those who address it attempt to gather opinions from everyone who is involved before proceeding. It has been proven by multiple studies that this system of record keeping does in fact have potential to significantly improve patient health through efficiency, and it is because of this that the majority of hospitals have already completed, or begun the transfer from paperless to electronic (Otieno, Toyama, Asonuma, Kanai-Pak, & Naitoh,
The implementation of electronic health records (EHR) continues to make an impact on nursing and patient care throughout the country. As a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, all public and private healthcare providers were required to implement electronic health records in their facilities by January 1, 2014. By demonstrating “meaningful use” of the electronic medical record, facilities are able to maintain Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement levels. Providers who show that they are meeting the “meaningful use” criteria during EHR use will receive an incentive payment from Medicare and Medicaid. “Meaningful use” is “using certified technology in EHR implementation to improve quality, safety, efficiency, and reduce health disparities; engage patients and families; improve care coordination; and maintain privacy and security of patient health information” (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2013).
Studies have implied that, healthcare professionals who practice clinical features through EHR were far more likely provide better preventive care than were healthcare professionals who did not. (page 116). From 2004, EHR has initiated, even the major priority of President Obama’s agenda is EHR (Madison & Stagger, 2011). Health care administration considers EHR as the introduction of advanced technology which can improve patient satisfaction are can increase the financial incentives of the healthcare organization. Studies have pointed out that the federal policy is proposed to transform all medical records into EHR (Hebda & Calderone, 2010).
The purpose of the Electronic Health Record is to provide a comprehensive, standardized and universal digital version of a patient 's health records. The availability of a patient 's digital health record provides health information and data for critical thinking and evidence based decision-making, aggregates patient data for quality assurance and research. The Electronic Health Record has been, "identified as a strategy for effectively and efficiently coordinating and maintaining documentation of patients health histories and as a secure method of providing more informed clinical decision making" (MNA, 2006).
In an increasingly modernized profession, the integration between computer systems and patient care is becoming more relevant to provide streamlined, quality care. Moreover, the informatics nurse plays an essential role in the relationship between information systems and patient care: “Nursing informatics professionals are the liaisons to successful interactions with technology in healthcare” (Kelly, Brandon, & Docherty, 2011, p. 155). Technology is paramount to providing optimal patient care, and will continue to grow in importance, relevance, and involvement; nursing informatics leaders are essential to guiding the practice with technology (Bates & Wells, 2012). This is apparent in the use of electronic medical records (EMRs), the computer application that electronically stores patients’ health data; EMRs are a vital part of the transition to computerized documentation (Sheridan, 2012). Since 2004, the healthcare industry has been moving toward improved efficiencies and patient satisfaction, in part, by transitioning to electronic patient documentation (Sheridan, 2012). EMRs improve care quality, safety, and efficiency while reducing coordinated-care disparities (Madison & Staggers, 2011).