Electronic Health Records Case Analysis With the introduction of the Affordable Healthcare Act came the wide spread adoption of electronic health records (EHR). Prior to EHR’s, healthcare providers wrote down all their patient observations and diagnosis on paper charts, now it is common practice to be entering this information electronically via a computer. While this advancement is, efficient and allows for patient data to be more attainable by other health care providers, it is not without its drawbacks and challenges. From an ergonomics position many EHR computers are installed in offices and patient units where computer placement was an afterthought in the design process. A mixture of laptops and desktops are combined with stand up mobile carts and desk mounted units. Users are required to use various postures, positions, and frequently need to rotate their head, neck, and torsos to switch between the patient and EHR terminal. Case Analysis Purpose and Significance The purpose of this case analysis is to conduct an ergonomic risk assessment on electronic medical record terminals in two health care settings. The primary focus is the types of terminals used and how healthcare providers interact with patients and EHR …show more content…
This required bending of the necks, arms, wrists, and legs into positions that are of medium risk for fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders. Users experience a high rate of small range action, rotational activity is frequent due to the station being placed away from the patient. Users are continually required to leave their station, rotate in a chair, and then reset their posture. A high consistency of correct posture is not to be expected with this high degree of resetting. There is a high probability of neck injuries and potential for joint fatigue in the wrists. This assumes of continual rotation required to face the patient when talking to
Historically, physicians and nurses documented patients’ health information using paper and pencil. This documentation created numerous errors in patients’ medical records. Patient information became lost or destroyed, medication errors occur daily because of illegible handwriting, and patients had to wait long periods to have access to their medical records. Since then technology has changed the way nurses and health care providers care for their patients. Documentation of patient care has moved to an electronic heath care system in which facilities around the world implement electronic health care systems. Electronic health records (EHR) is defined as a longitudinal electronic record of
through the Eyes of a Participant Observer." Chiropractic & Manual Therapies. Vol. 20, No. 1, 19 Jan. 2012, p. 1. EBSCOhost. 2017 October 25.
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.
“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.
In this paper you will find that the transition from paper health records to electronic medical record is a transition that requires a lot of time and precise preparation and planning. Looking through the paper you will see that there are factors that need to be implemented. You first definitely have to have your medical records. Next you have to know the role that HIPPA will play in your transition because of regulation and violations. Then, you have to prepare for potential problems that you could possibly face. Next, you will see there are several things to evaluate from how long it will take to cost. You will see prices for workstation and the number of staff that you need to carry out your plan of action.
There are a number of ways in which patient care can be improved with a facility that utilizes multiple charting systems. The simplest way to provide effective quality care is to implement the EHR. A EHR is an electronic system consisting of a complete patient medical health history of past and current conditions (Keller, 2016; Menachemi & Collum, 2011). In addition, to the patient’s demographic, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, allergies, laboratory data, immunizations, and test results. EHR decreases medical errors such as misinterpretation of clinical notes, doctors orders, not having access to paper chart that have yet to be filed or has been missed file (Keller, 2016). EHR also allows for quick and easy access to diagnostic test results and patient notes that are needed for patient care. EHR will significantly enhance patient care by reducing the amount of time it takes the healthcare team to retrieve the needed health information to deliver patient care. It will also dramatically reduce medical errors that are associated with the nursing staff manually entering doctors’
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 adaptation, utilization, and functionality of an EHR. The impact the EHR could have on a general population is invaluable; therefore, it needs special attention from a trained professional.
Chun-Ju Hsiao, P. a. (2014, January 17). Use and Characteristics of Electronic Health Record Systems Among Office-based Physician Practices: United States, 2001–2013. Retrieved April 24, 2014, from CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db143.htm
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).
Miller, R., & Sim, I. (2004). Use of electronic medical records: Barriers and solutions. Retrieved June 29, 2011, from http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/23/2/116.short
In the 2004 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush stated “within the next 10 years, Electronic Health Records (EHRs) will ensure that complete health care information is available for most Americans at the time and place of care (U.S. Government)”. In order to encourage the widespread implementation of EHRs and to overcome the financial barrier to doing so, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009 set aside $27 billion in incentives to be distributed over a ten-year period for hospitals and healthcare providers to adopt the meaningful use of EHRs (Encinosa, 2013). In 2011, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) implemented the Meaningful Use (MU) Incentive Program. In order to qualify for incentive payments under MU, providers must attest to meeting specific quality measures thresholds each year consisting of three stages with increasing requirement at each stage.
Enhancing Society's View of Justice The Republic of Plato written by Plato and translated by Allan Bloom emphasizes the importance of justice in society through the use of highly developed arguments by influential and prominent figures in Athens, Greece. Socrates, known for his anomalous use of arguments and rhetoric with speech, begins tackling the question of what justice is, through a series of discussions. Cephalus, Polemarchus' father, defines justice using truth and the return of goods as his essential point. Socrates then presents the case of returning weapons to a man who's gone mad, making Cephalus realize the defect in his position.
Boaden, R., & Joyce, P. (2006). Developing the electronic health record: What about patient safety? Health Services Management Research, 19 (2), 94-104. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/236465771?accountid=32521
Over the past decade, technological advances have paved the way for nurses to provide, quality, safe, standardized and individualized patient care (Saba & McCormick, 2015). The use of the Electronic Health Records (EHR) to manage patient data is quickly becoming widespread in the healthcare industry. The emerging use of the Electronic Health Record, is transforming how nurses care for patients. By creating and implementing an electronic, comprehensive, standardized method of recording patient data, nurses can facilitate and coordinate patient care with members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team. The use of the Electronic Health Record will promote positive
Today, providers store patient’s medical record electronically with an easy access via the Internet to users, stakeholders, and agencies. An easy access provides better patient’s care, but also raises concerns about the safety and confidentiality of the information. Medical records are extremely personal and should never be shared with anyone without patient’s consent or as required by law. Our government has implemented laws to protect the consumer’s health records. Strict enforcement of the laws has been effective in limiting breaches of patient’s confidentiality, although there are plenty of cases where we still find compromised patients’ information.