Question

PCMA Chapter (critical thinking) 13-"Pearson Physicians Group is considering making the change from paper to electronic health records. The physicians have assembled a team consisting of Lewis Jordan and Tania Washington to gather information relating to this possible change."

1. While gathering information, Lewis and Tania developed a list of pros and cons for converting to electronic health records. What might have been included on their list?
2. The office has decided to make the conversion to EHRs. Once all records have been converted, what should be done with the original paper charts?
3. The office has recently received in the mail a typed consultation report from a local oncologist regarding a mutual patient, Yun-qi Yeung. What should be done with this report now that the office has converted to EHRs?

Answer 1

-An EHR, or an electronic health record, is a digital version of a person’s overall medical history.A list of pros and cons for converting into Electrionic health records(EHR)

PROS-

-Clinical outcomes,these include quality of care,patient safety, reduction in medical errors, improving healthcare

-Organizational outcomes,these include financial and operational performance, as well as satisfaction among patients and clinicians who use EHRs leading to increased revenue,averted costs,improved legal and regulatory compliance

-Social outcomes,by using electronic data public health researchers can actively conduct medical researches globally and there is more details about evidence-based practices and monitor disease outbreaks and improve surveillance of potential biological threats

-Tool for preventive health

-saves time and patient have better access to health records

-Accurate and up to date

CONS-

-Financial issus,cost of implementation of EHR,loss of revenue for time period, maintenance of EHR cost repurchasing and installing software and hardware and upgrade it on regular basis,additnal training and support

-loss in productivity temporarily,availability issues with computers and tech

-disruption of work flow

-risk of patient's privacy ,the details of patients can be hacked

-technical medical errors,overdependence on technology

-delay in documentation,inadequate data exchange

-Once all the paper records are converted to EHRs, original paper records can be kept for time being for:future reference,any malpractice claims, liability insurance requirements,any legal issues

-What should be done with the consultant report now that the office has converted to EHRs?

-EHRs should have enhanced ability to track consultations and to ensure whether the consultant is able to follow the patient's progress through out the treatment and the transmitted data is stored and can also be kept for review of examination later