Chelsie Clingen 200256386

Georgian College

Social Impact of Technology-1002

What are electronic health records?

How do electronic health records work?

Who uses electronic health records?

What are the benefits to electronic health records?

Why every medical centre and hospitals should use

EHR’s.

Disadvantages to electronic health records.

Topics to be covered

What are electronic

health records?“An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s

paper chart” (Electronic Health Records: The Basics, n.d.) that can

be accessed on an electronic device. EHR’s can only be accessed by

authorized users which keeps patients at ease that their information

isn’t going to get out into the hands of others. These electronic health

records contain the patients immunization dates, test results, x-rays,

images, diagnoses, current and previous medications, history, family

history, treatment plans, allergies, and current conditions. These

records can be accessed anytime and anywhere, this makes it easy

for health care providers to be provided with the necessary

information to treat the client properly and more effectively.

Example of what an Electronic Health

Record might look like

Source: Adapted from a Canada Health Infoway Inc. illustration.

How electronic health

records work?

Electronic records are health records that are stored in

electronic databases that are accessed via internet or a

certain software system. Companies have developed a

number of different software systems to keep up with the

advancing demands of electronic health records. Since these

health records are now easily accessible via the internet or

stored on clouds doctors can send other doctors the patients

records so that they can diagnose or get another opinion on

something. This advancement has made doctors jobs easier

as well as other health care practitioners.

Who uses electronic

health records?Doctors

Nurses

Physiotherapists

Massage therapists

Dentist

Pharmacist

laboratories

Figure 1. Percentage of office-based physicians with EHR systems: United States, 2001–2013

In 2013, 78% of office-based physicians used any type of electronic health record (EHR) system, up from 18% in 2001.

What are the benefits to

electronic health

records?“One of the key features of an EHR is that health information can be created and managed by

authorized providers in a digital format capable of being shared with other providers across more

than one health care organization” (Electronic Health Records: The Basics, n.d.).

Easily accessible

Can be added to instantly

Transferred easily from one health care provider to the next

Cloud based systems so data will never be lost

Information is protected from environmental damage, loss, theft or damage

improve patient care

Cost efficient “Two studies commissioned by Infoway have indicated that, once they are in

place, EHRs will save an estimated $6 billion each year ( Electronic Health Records in

Canada. n.d.)”.

Patient participation

effective displays of ultrasounds, X-rays, and MRI scans

Why every medical centre and

hospitals should use electronic

health recordspharmacy resources to improve quality of medication reconciliation

Improve patient education

Reduce technical and financial barriers to communication of medication list and

medication compliance at home

electronic communication increases the reliability of communication with primary care

physicians

Doctors can communicate with other physicians

Each health care provider can access what other medical care patients have had in order

to give them the ultimate care

More efficient for everyone involved

Less time wasted in patient visits

Disadvantages to

electronic health recordsStaff and doctors need training to use electronic health records

Hacking off the system could occur

Financial issues

loss of revenue associated with temporary loss of productivity

Time spent converting paper charts to electronic ones

Hardware needs to be replaced and software needs constant updates

Risk of patient violations

Unintentional errors put in to the EHR

Lack of end-user training

Conclusion Electronic health records have become quite common in medical

offices, hospitals, and other health care providers clinics. They have

made records accessible by the click of button and sharing clients

records with other health care providers easier than ever. View previous

x-rays, ultrasounds and other imaging convenient for the view to see.

Having records in electronic versions has been a huge break through

but has also had its hang ups. The biggest pro to electronic health

records is that they save time and make viewing the records easier for

all health care providers. The biggest disadvantage to electronic health

records is the training involved in teaching the end-users how to use the

software. This requires time and lost revenue for a short period of time.

In summary electronic health records are an excellent technology that

has come into play making health care providers jobs easier and giving

the best client based care possible.

References

HealthIT.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2015, from http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/faqs/what-electronic-

health-record-ehr

(2014, January 17). Retrieved April 9, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db143.htm

(n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2015, from http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/docs/parl_oag_201004_07_e.pdf

How Do EHR Systems Work? (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2015, from http://healthcare.adsc.com/blog/bid/195876/How-Do-

EHR-Systems-Work

Menachemi, N., & Collum, T. (n.d.). Benefits and drawbacks of electronic health record systems. Retrieved April 9, 2015,

from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3270933/