Advancements in Health Care Technology

The advancements of healthcare technology has expanded in an enormous way. As advancements take shape, technology in health care can improve efficiency, patient records become more accessible, increase communication as well as global networking between professionals.   It allows different providers to access records to properly treat patients so that each provider can see what treatments are needed for the patient’s care.  Adopting Emergency Health Records (EHR) will bring a great advantage to the organization and improve care coordination, included in this information are the medical background of the patient, their personal information such as their address, date of birth, and social security number.  It also includes the doctors and nurses notes, lab test results, and immunization records.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human services (“HHS”) issued the Privacy Rule to implement the requirement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”).  The purpose of the Privacy Rule is to protect patient’s information while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide high quality healthcare. The HIPAA law is very important to patients and providers because if it is not administered and enforced it can become costly to a provider and their staff to include civil money penalties or criminal prosecution.  

In this presentation, we will explain the meaningful use of EHR which means Electronic Medical Records. This implementation into the healthcare system has changed from the regular paper charts that we are all use to and now all the data is compiled electronically starting usually with a primary care physician to include any specialist that is involved with treating a patient.  It can start with a physician charting notes on the treatment to include patient’s vital signs, family history and list of medications.  The provider will refer a patient to another doctor in the system and they will be able to see what tests and procedures were performed and what else needs to be done.  After this is done they will refer patient back to the provider and they will coordinate treatment and do what is best for the patient.  

We will also touch on the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules as well as any constraints that may apply and are they applicable. It is important for everyone to understand the importance of these as it can carry huge consequences to include fines and imprisonment.

CMS EHR incentive programs provide financial incentives for the meaningful use.

Meaningful use uses certified EHR to improve quality, safety efficiency and to reduce health disparities.

Electronic Health Records are generated by one or more encounters in any healthcare delivery setting.

Improves care coordination and population in public health and open communication and more involvement on the patient’s part.

Reaches beyond a healthcare organization that originally collects data and care to share with other providers.

The meaningful use of Electronic Health Records is to comply with the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) or the providers could be subject to a financial penalty.  If the providers are in compliance they have incentive programs who could help them financially with the electronic health records.  The meaningful use of EHR is to improve quality, safety and to reduce any health discrepancies.  The electronic medical records are also used by one or more encounters to include a primary care doctor, a specialist, labs, diagnostic testing and prescriptions where providers can see what treatment each of them are giving patients.  The meaningful use improves the care coordination and open communication and involvement on the patient’s part.  It also allows them to reach beyond a healthcare organization that first collects the data to be able to share with other providers.