Ehr/emr Implementation

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EMR/EHR Implementation

Introduction

Technology tends to be a vital component in the provision of care. Although the healthcare system mainly involves human interaction, technology also plays a vital role in enhancing the provision of care. The incorporation of technology in the healthcare system is vital for various reasons. Advancements in health care technology are considered vital sources of economic wealth. Technology is also a vital force for enhancing change in the healthcare system. Electronic Health Records are considered real-time, patient-centric information resources used by clinicians. They normally represent a significant field of Health Information Technology. Electronic Health Records are considered longitudinal electronic records of the health information of patients, which are produced in various care settings. The information included in an Electronic Health Record include problem list, medications, orders, past medical history, vital signs, laboratory results, notes and radiology reports. The main intention of having an EHR is to provide a complete record following a clinical patient episode of care. It also aims at supporting care related activities, for example, quality management, decision-making and clinical reporting (Liang 157). Some sources reveal that there is a distinction between EMR (Electronic Medical Record) and EHR illustrating that EMR concentrates on ambulatory care systems. In practice, these terms are normally interchangeable. This paper examines the impact of EHR on the provision of care, the healthcare system, and in enhancing organizational efficiency.

Many healthcare organizations have been deploying EHR with the aim of improving safety and the quality of care. Although the implementation of EHR has remained a major challenge for healthcare systems, it is a vital tool clinicians use to enhance the provision of care. Various factors show how EHR enhances the provision of care. Examples are from the role that Electronic Health Records play in the maximization of technical characteristics. EHR improves the provision of care by supporting value-added functionalities like automated reports and entry system (Poissant, et al. 505). They also improve the speed with which services are delivered. However, for EHRs to be effective in the provision of care, user related characteristics, for example, training are essential. For EHRs to be effective in the provision of care, its integration into the clinical workflow needs to be done at an early phase to optimize the system’s integration to routine clinical use. For this reason, there should be a balance between routine clinical practice and EHR to improve the provision of care.

Electronic Health Records also play a vital role in enhancing the provision of care by improving time efficiency. Many clinicians normally spend most of their time providing patients with direct care. EHR has proven to be a vital tool for increasing patient interaction time hence improving the quality of care provided. Since the documentation of clinical information is considered an intrinsic aspect of clinical activities, the system helps clinicians improve the quality of care by reducing their documentation time. Time-saving normally translates to better patient care (Poissant, et al. 506).