1. Electronic Health Record Defined
Electronic health Record (EHR) and You · Ability to access information even outside of the facility
Simply put Electronic Health Record is the use of a computerized
version of patient health record, instead of the traditional paper
Looking towards the future for a better healthcare delivery · Patient access to their health care information
record. This takes into account every aspect of clinical care from the
system initial assessment to the final treatment plan. · Aids in the monitoring and tracking of patient progress
Not only does Electronic Health Records aid in the provision of · Increase in financial gain of the facility
medical care, but it also assist in the managing of all areas of daily
medical practice. In that it combines all systems that once maybe
functioned isolated, such as scheduling and billing systems
EHR and the Nurse
The use of electronic health records has seen an increase in reports of
Limitations of the Traditional Paper Record System nurse satisfaction, productivity and retention, with the end
· Tend to be ineffective, time consuming taking away from patient result being achieving overall desired patient outcome.
care time · Electronic Health Records takes away the extra time that was spent
· Records or parts of records are often misplaced or misfiles doing non clinical duties
· Healthcare providers are required to remember many protocols and · Greater access to better and more information
guidelines · Help improve job satisfaction and morale
· Increased risk for grammatical errors and improper data entry · Improvement in patient outcome through implementing best
· There is also a need for physical storage, which is expensive to evidence based practice.
maintain
· Nurses would be able to manage patient calls directly from the
Benefits of EHRs computer
· Makes files easier to read · Prescription refills as well as pharmacy requisition are handled more
quickly and easily
· Easily accessible to all healthcare providers
· Increase autonomy; as the nurse is better equipped to function
· Improves quality of patient care in terms of diagnosis and research
independently by carrying out standing orders or protocol
· Facilitates more accurate and concise documentation of medical decisions
files
· Better able to monitor and track outpatients in terms of prevention (
· Reduces the occurrence medication errors which patient is due for monthly Modecate injection)
· NO MORE ADMISSION FORMS every time a patient is admitted.
The use of auto– filled electronic forms
· Able to print out educational health information for clients on
discharge or during teaching