Question

Dale and Michelle Baxter are a retired couple who enjoy traveling around the country in their motor home. Dale has a history of atrial fibrillation and is on several medications for his heart. Michelle has a history of Crohn’s disease and mild arthritis. They schedule their check-ups at various physician offices throughout the country, depending on where they will be at any given time. They also use a large chain drugstore for their medications, knowing that they can obtain refills easier that way.

While traveling, Mr. Baxter trips and falls down the stairs, bruising his hip and receiving minor lacerations on his forearm. Mrs. Baxter decides to take him to the nearest ED because he is on Coumadin therapy. At the ED, the doctor is able to view Mr. Baxter’s history, current medications, most recent lab tests, and other health information. He is able to order tests, view results and quickly make a diagnosis. The entire ED visit lasted a little over an hour by the time Mr. Baxter was discharged.

A. Which system would be better for the Baxters’ lifestyle, an EMR, EHR, or PHR? Defend your answer.

B.   What are the pros and cons of having the entire health record computerized?

C. Because Mr. Baxter uses a larger pharmacy, he receives notices to his smartphone for reminders to have blood work done and prescriptions refilled. An app allows him to view his medication timing, side effects, and other information. How do these functions reinforce the delivery of safe and effective health care?

Answer 1

Ans.a) Electronic Health Record (EHR) would be the best option for this couple because as it is already mentioned that most of the time they travel around the country in their motor home. Additionally, they also schedule their check-ups at various physician offices throughout the country, depending on where they will be at any given time and also use a large chain drugstore for their medications.Hence, it would be easier for them, the physician and the drug store to access their medical condition and treat them accordingly, if their medical history available online.

b.) Apart from advantage, there are some disadvantage are also their while sharing an individual’s medical history online.

Advantage:

• By having online medical history, an individual can schedule their check-ups accordingly.
• Have access their health related problems from remate areas also.
• No need to carry health records every time an individual visits to doctor, these things are already available online.
• It reduces error thus increase the efficiency of the whole medical practice.

Disdvantage:

• It is quite costly.
• Intenet connectivity is very important. Sometimes, the system goes down, it is a disaster. Hardcopies of all the records must be kept to record the data later when the system is back up and running.
• Interaction between the patient and medical practitioner is reduced

c.) As it is already mentioned that Mr. Baxter receives notices to his smartphone for reminders to have blood work done and prescriptions refilled. An app allows him to view his medication timing, side effects, and other information. Hence, by using such technologies, a patient can insure their timely check up , medication and medical test which is quit helpful in maintaing a good health and reinforceing the delivery of safe and effective health care.