Use of electronic health records for public health surveillance

Meaningful use of data from electronic health records how it can be used to improve population health

Data from electronic health records can be used to improve health outcomes through collecting and sharing data to different health organizations to ensure quality improvement and disease prevention. Still, as Birkhead, Klompas and Shah (2015) assert, the data can be employed in reporting public health-related matters such as submission of electronic laboratory reports, immunization registry, and data related to occurrence or prevalence of diseases in a particular population group. Public health organizations can use shared data to prevent, monitor, and manage diseases by putting measures that will minimize the health-related diseases (Casey, Stewart and Adler, 2016). Electronic health records gives information regarding the entire population being served, thus enabling healthcare organizations to cater for the needs of the people under their records. EHRs can serve as a reminder to patients in cases such as regular clinics of immunizations, follow up care, and access to clinical protocols. EHRs can help promote communication and collaboration between public health officials and healthcare providers. 

The connection between data collected from EHRs and how I care the patients 

I have noted an interconnection between data collected from EHRs and how I administer treatment to patients. For example, with electronic laboratory reports, I am usually in a better position to apply evidence-based practices to give the right treatment and recommendation to patients. Electronic health data has guided me as a nurse in making necessary follow up on admitted patients by checking their health records, treatment history, and recovery procedure that will ensure resumption to their health status. 

Incident when EHRs improved patient outcomes 

There was an incident when a certain patient was suffering from a severe allergy. The patient had fallen unconscious after consuming some fruits which the patient had been restrained from eating to avoid allergic reactions. After being taken to the hospital, the doctor relied on electronic health records to study patient medical history. He used laboratory test results submitted to him to treat the patient and make the necessary recommendation about the patient's health status. The clinician had to access data when the patient was under emergency care to avoid medical errors and ensure a smooth recovery. Mostly, this happens when the patient is unconscious or unresponsive. 

How EHRs improved patient outcomes 

Electronic health records were vital at this point when the patient required emergency care and treatment. The records helped reduce unnecessary investigation on the patient which would have led to possible errors. EHR thus supported better patient outcomes. By using EHRs, the clinician was able to quickly and systematically identify the patient’s problem and administer the right medication for a speedy recovery. Electronic data was transmitted easily from the medical lab to the doctors’ room, which facilitated faster sharing of information and communication among the primary care providers. Casey et al., (2016) notes that the records help diagnose a patient's problem, thus reducing and preventing medical errors that would arise without those records. The information recorded in electronic health records enabled the clinician to make correct diagnostic and therapeutic decision that identified proper medication for allergies. Therefore, EHRs improved patient safety and better patient outcomes. 

Negative impact observed with the use of EHRs 

Electronic health records are prone to privacy and security compromises when the data breach occurs as a result of hacking sensitive patient data. According to Adler, Worzala and Charles (2015), inaccurate information may be keyed in, or failure to update the latest medical history can mislead other health providers who may use that data to treat the same patients later. Misinterpretation of medical data from health records can cause serious medical errors. Financial constraints may also hinder implementation of electronic health records due to maintenance costs and loss of revenue associated with low productivity. Low productivity stems from end-users taking time to learn the new system, which disrupts the workflow (Adler-Milstein et al., 2015). Loss of data or wrong data entry during transmission from paper-based to computerized system may lead to incorrect diagnosis during treatment. 

References 

Adler-Milstein, J., Worzala, C., & Charles, D. (2015). Electronic health record adoption in US hospitals: progress continues, but challenges persist.  Health Affairs ,  34 (12), 2174-2180. 

Birkhead, G. S., Klompas, M., & Shah, N. R. (2015). Use of electronic health records for public health surveillance to advance public health. Annual review of public health ,  36 , 345-359. 

Casey, J., Stewart, W. F., & Adler, N. E. (2016). Using electronic health records for population health research: a review of methods and applications.  Annual review of public health ,  37 , 61-81.