Electronic health record (EHR) is merely the exchange of health information for patients electronically. The system provides improved and better health care for the patients that are involved. The EHRs is best in the manner that it is tangible with the health institution where I work. The implementation of this system has its fair share of costs and benefits as was discovered by the task force and discussed below.
The Benefits of Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
The systems provide updated, accurate and proper patient information. According to ( Bates et al., 2014), w ith the manual way of health record storage, particularly filing, there is a high possibility of data and information loss or confusion. With the HER, the patient information remains safe leading to a proper health care service for the patients.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The electronic health record systems allow for quick access to the patient's records, thus most reliable when dealing with a large sample of patients. In big hospitals, it may take several hours trying to access a single patient’s files, but with HER, the speed is enhanced.
Misdiagnosis for patients is impossible with the electronic health record. The history of the patient’s treatment is kept within the records for a more natural referral. As such, the ease with which the patient receives treatment is immense.
The EHRs also eases the patient-nurse discussion. There is ease in the analysis of the patient’s past and prospects by merely referring to the easily accessible records in the system.
Costs of Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
The possibility of loss of the current patient’s record is a considerable fear that hinders the implementation of the HER is most hospitals ( Bates et al., 2014) . Most chunks of the patient’s details and records may be mixed up or lost during the transfer period.
The cost of implementation of this system is high. In most cases, there is fear that the financial implications may tamper with the institution’s budget such as drug budget ( Bates et al., 2014) . A proper system, which is costly id needed for this purpose.
Job loss is a reality in this process. The acquisition of computer literate staff which may lead to the dismissal of the former staffs is real. Such an exercise may also necessitate the hospital to spend resources in training the current team in the s-usage of the EHRs.
References
Bates, D. W., Saria, S., Ohno-Machado, L., Shah, A., & Escobar, G. (2014). Big data in healthcare: using analytics to identify and manage high-risk and high-cost patients. Health Affairs , 33 (7), 1123-1131.
