Technology in the Medical Field Essay

In the medical field there have been a lot of technological advances and making health records electronic is one of them. The days of having a paper health record are almost obsolete. An electronic health record keeps a patient’s medical information and history on a computer which is accessible to more people in less time. I will explain how the continuity, communication, coordination and accountability of the electronic health record can help the medical office. I will explain what can be included in the electronic health record. As an advocate of the electronic health record I will also explain some disadvantages to the electronic system.

Reducing the incidence of medical error by improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records.

The EHR system does make things flow a lot easier. Better equipment seems to be of good service as well. It gives better service to the patient. Being able to communicate throughout the office without actually having to be face to face with that person is very helpful, seeing you may not always know exactly where that person is at that moment.

But with the benefits there are also the risk factors. Some disadvantages of the EHR system would include; initial cost of planning and implementing an EHR system, lack of standardization across the healthcare setting, unauthorized access to patient information (security and privacy), inaccurate patient information if not updated properly, technical downtimes, potential negligence for data loss and possible patient access to conditions that they don’t comprehend which may panic them.

EHRs help your doctors coordinate your care and protect your safety - Since all my information as a patient is contained in the EHR system all of my doctors know what medications I am taking, whether it will interact with other medication, if I am allergic to any medication or if a particular drug did not work out for me in the past. This saves me from any risk of the wrong medication being prescribed and the cost of talking medication that does not work for me.

EHRs have also changed healthcare by increasing productivity. Now health care professionals are not having to order scan or test multiple times due to results not being able to be located. One additional way that EHRs have changed the healthcare industry is by increase patient satisfactions. Patients like that their healthcare providers are easily up to date on the facts of their health information. Healthcare IT is now considered as a essential factor of a high-quality healthcare system (Wager, Lee, Glaser, 2013).

• The implementation of the EHR will open up the employee to gain access to all the patient records available within one system. This includes x-rays, labs, notes, care plans, etc. • With secured passwords available to each employee, the employ is able to review current and past reports to increase the quality of care for that patient. • Accessing the

EHRs can positively influence workplace efficiency and communication and improve productivity with better access to and organization of patient data (McGinn, et al., 2011). EHRs can improve operational efficiency by providing the capability of sharing of information within the practice. Additionally, health information can be shared with external health care organizations provided the proper interoperability infrastructure is in place. Physicians can access patient information anytime and anywhere the system is enabled, enhancing patient safety as well as quality and continuity of care, particularly for physicians on call or working at multiple sites. They also can have access to drug recalls or other alerts provided through the EHR.

Technology has enabled us to make advances in patient care, and thus increase healthy patient outcomes. Nurses are constantly adapting to new technology, and need to learn to work with their IT department to successfully maneuver their electronic system. This paper will provide details of EHR implementation, and the goals of health implementation technology.

A lengthy list of EHR benefits supports the evolution from paper to electronic medical record keeping. One such benefit, the significant reduction of needed storage space. Bulky paper charts require a lot of space and misplaced charts waste time and effort to locate. Since EHR data remains on the computer, medical practices no longer require secure on-site storage, and electronic files eliminate misplacing files. Another benefit to data remaining on the computer rather than a medical chart, electronic records allow immediate access from several locations. EHRs provide emergency room personnel access to allergies and other pertinent information of unconscious patients. The on-call physician accesses patient information from their home computer, rather than driving to the medical

EHRs are computerized versions of patient’s paper charts. EHRs makes the health information about the patient accessible anywhere at any time. EHR holds the pertinent information about a patient’s medical history, medications, immunization record, allergies, radiology and other diagnostic images, and lab results (Health Information Technology (Health IT), 2013). EHR makes patient care safer by bringing together all health records from previous and current doctors, as well as pharmacies and different diagnostic facilities.

The electronic health record has affected nursing in multiple ways. The EHR helps nurses provide fast and effective care by saving them time, and time

An Electronic Health Record (also known as EHR) is an official health record for a patient that is stored with multiple facilities and agencies. The main purpose of this electronic system is to improve efficiency, quality of care, and reduce costs. How can one system possibly do all these improvements to health records? Well let’s break it down to simpler terms. It will improve efficiency for individuals seeking healthcare from a different facility in the future. There will be no more paper trails, meaning no more faxing, emails, by mail, or playing the waiting game to get your records from another facility. With EHR the records will already be in the data base and they can pull up your charts within a few

The potential benefits of EHR adoption include: real time patient information, limiting redundant workflow, standardization of care, increased productivity, reduction of errors, and more timely accurate communication

This paper will identify the use of Electronic Health Records and how nursing plays an important role. Emerging in the early 2000’s, utilizing Electronic Health Records have quickly become a part of normal practice. An EHR could help prevent dangerous medical mistakes, decrease in medical costs, and an overall improvement in medical care. Patients are often taking multiple medications, forget to mention important procedures/diagnoses to providers, and at times fail to follow up with providers. Maintaining an EHR could help tack data, identify patients who are due for preventative screenings and visits, monitor VS, & improve overall quality of care in a practice. Nurse informaticists play an important role in the