Electronic Health RecordsThis is a featured page

What are they?Electronic Health Records - The ITGS Wiki at BHS
Electronic Health Records are a way for doctors to store their patients' information, including new diagnoses and prescription electronically. It allows them to be neater and more thorough in their questions and throughout their time with their patients. However, even with this new technology, many doctors have been slow to change over and move away from pen-and-paper. For a variety of reasons, they refuse to change over, but rather stick closely to the old ways. In actual fact, it is only larger corporations who have accepted and implemented electronic health recording systems.

What are the IT components?
  • Databases: a comprehensive collection of related data organized for convenient access, generally in a computer; databases are used to store the electronic records
  • Web browser: Google and Microsoft are offering consumer-controlled personal health records over the Web, which are stored in the companies’ data centers; this is one way to implement the electronic health records system, when all the records are stored in a data center and accessed through a the Web
  • Networks: a system containing any combination of computers, computer terminals, printers, audio or visual display devices, or telephones interconnected by telecommunication equipment or cables: used to transmit or receive information; it is the networks that link all the offices together and allow another office to access the same health records for the patient, rather than forcing the patient to enter their information all over again
  • Computers: an electronic device designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations; these are used to enter the information into the electronic record and retrieve the information from the electronic record
  • Special Software: special programs used to direct the operation of the computer, as well as documentation giving instructions on use--specific to each company who has implemented the system
Advantages
  • Not so many files: face it: paper files take up a lot of space. Storing them electronically allows that space to be put to aElectronic Health Records - The ITGS Wiki at BHS different, better use
  • Improved quality of care: clinical decisions are improved
  • Improves timeliness of care: with electronic records, doctors are able to be more efficient and on time because they do not have to write everything, only type. Most people can type faster than they can write
  • Reduces errors: typed writing can be read easier so errors will be reduced because the "writing" is universal
  • Contains Cost: cost is less because the paper needed is a lot less, reducing cost
  • Less paper handling: Less paper means files will not be mixed up as easier and not as many trees must die :)
  • Lower administration expenses: when it is all online, not as many administrators are needed
  • Aids in avoidance of medication errors: with it all online, it makes mixing up which prescription is given to which person harder
  • Improves delivery of preventative care: doctors can get to patients faster and with more electronic records, they may be able to look online and find what to take, improving care that may help them prevent other issues
Disadvantages
  • Restricting access/privacy: It is harder to restrict who can have access to the records because it is so easy to hack in to sites...
  • Economic reasons: lack of financial incentive to make the switch to electronic records
  • Cost of implementing it: It costs around $15,000 to $20,000 per doctor, which doubles if consider time taken away from their ability to practice while they are making the move to electronic records
  • Hard to find software to meet the specific needs of the users: most current software programs are designed for large businesses or hospitals, not small practices
  • More technology employees: though the number of administrators may be reduced, technology people must be hired to help when there are technology problems
What are the social/ethical issues?
  • Reliability: If everything is online, what happens when the technology fails or crashes? Can people no longer get medicalElectronic Health Records - The ITGS Wiki at BHS care?
  • Integrity: If someone breaks in and tampers with the information, many people could get the wrong medicine or the wrong treatment which may actually mean some may die.
  • Security: How can people be sure that their information is safe?
  • Privacy and anonymity: Who can access the information? Can doctors only access the people who are their patients or can they access everyone's care? What about the ER at hospitals? Who regulates that?
  • Authenticity: Who should have access and who shouldn't?
  • Equality of access: The only doctors who can afford to have electronic health records implemented are the rich ones or countries' whose governments require it (rich countries).
  • Policies and standards: Who sets the policies? The company or a centralized location/business? What should they be?
  • People and machines: People must interact even more with computers, if electronic health records are implemented
Sources?



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ltryus 		Latest page update: made by ltryus , Oct 15 2008, 12:52 AM EDT (about this update About This Update ltryus Edited by ltryus

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Keyword tags: electronic health pen-and-paper records
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