ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS
A DIGITAL WAY TO MAINTAIN PATIENT'S RECORD
CONTENT
Overview of Electronic Health Records
Importance
Types of Electronic Records
Essential Features
Sections
References
What it actually is?
An Electronic Health Record is a process of assembling all the population and patient’s health records in a standardized manner which are stored electronically. (Gunter & Terry, 2005)
IMPORTANCE OF ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS
Provides Best quality care by allowing quick access to patient’s health data
Enhance confidentiality by keeping the health records secure and private.
Records can be stored for a long time without any fear of damage.
Electronic information can be shared easily and securely with doctors for better plan of care and research purposes.
Reduction in medical errors and paperwork costs.
Improvement in clinical outcomes by delivering precise and up to date data.
TYPES OF ELECTRONIC RECORD SYSTEM
Physician Hosted System
This system involves collection and installation of data in the physician’s server. The institution must purchase the software and hardware including servers to assess the health records. The maintenance, security and data backup of records is under physician’s control as there is no involvement of any third party. (Zelinska, 2022b)
Remotely Hosted System
In this system, patient’s health information is allowed to store on server of a third party and that entity is responsible to maintain the records in a proper manner. There is no direct control of physician to these records as the third entity is fully accountable to secure the electronic health data and formulation of backup options.
Classification of Remotely Hosted System
SUBSIDIZED SYSTEM DEDICATED HOSTED SYSTEM CLOUD SYSTEM
Under this system, the facility for which the physician is working is responsible for subsiding the finances of electronic health record system. Physician can not control the data information by himself as the entity utilized the whole server.
Point to be noted- There are chances of emergence of trust issues due to ownership of using the server and it usually began when the physician changes the facility.
In this system, the facility such as hospital, rents a vendor’s server where the data is stored in a specific location. The physician only stores the data on vendor’s server but cannot manage it. The vendor himself does not have any control over the data but is aware of the physical location.
This is an internet based system in which physician transfers the health information to a vendor who store the data in the clouds. This system requires an entrust relationship between vendor and physician. The stored data is usually moved by the vendor to other locations rather than in the cloud. Physician is unaware of the time and location where the data is moved but he can read the medical information online.
ESSENTIAL FEATURES FOR A ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD SYSTEM
PATIENT'S PORTAL
It acts as a platform for the patient to contact with medical experts which they need for their health condition.
Manages online medical appointments, making payments, and access to the patient’s health records.
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
To manage the stock of all the inventory including medical equipment , consumable items and emergency medicines required for smooth functioning of the facility.
This feature allows to notify and request the inventory to the stakeholders before it runs out to avoid any scarcity.
CUSTOMER COMMUNICATION
To personalize patient’s communication by keeping track of their queries to clear their doubts and determining their needs.
BILLING ALLOTMENT
To assess the patient’s billing history making payments and discover any due debt for the treatment. It also includes information about patient’s health insurance coverage.
SECTIONS OF ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS
To assess the patient’s updated information and health status
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS :
Billing Information
Procedure consents and authorization forms
Treatment History including chief complaints and health status from the day of admission till today
Nursing notes including plan of care and treatment measures
Doctor’s prescriptions and orders
Patient’s confidentiality
REFERENCES
Electronic Health Record System Types [w/ Benefits]. (n.d.). Medesk. https://www.medesk.net/en/blog/electronic-health-record-system-types/
Gunter, T. D., & Terry, N. P. (2005). The Emergence of National Electronic Health Record Architectures in the United States and Australia: Models, Costs, and Questions. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 7(1), e3. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7.1.e3
Neal D. (2011). Choosing an electronic health records system: professional liability considerations. Innovations in clinical neuroscience, 8(6), 43–45. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140898/Write A, (2015). Clinical problems listed in the electronic health record. 1st ed Apple academy. Press:https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.libaccess.senecacollege.ca/lib/senecac/reader.action?docID=1762894
Zelinska, S. (2022, July 15). Which Types of EMR/EHR Systems are the Best for Your Business. Empeek. https://empeek.com/which-types-of-emr-ehr-systems-are-the-best-for-your-business/