Electronic Health Records (EHR)-Nursing Paper Examples

DQ 1 Response to Ronald DellaValle

Thank you for an elaborative and insightful discussion. Indeed electronic health records (EHR) have been revolutionary in the healthcare field, replacing the paper-based system with inefficiencies, inaccuracies, and errors that negatively impact the quality of care and patient outcomes. EHRs and the ability to communicate health information electronically can assist healthcare professionals in giving patients better, safer care while making real improvements to your company (Hoover, 2019).

By providing precise, complete, and up-to-date patient data at the time of care, EHRs assist practitioners in better managing patient care and delivering better healthcare. In addition, facilitating secure electronic information sharing with patients and other clinicians. Furthermore, facilitating quick access to patient records for better coordinated, efficient care. Moreover, assisting medical professionals in more accurately diagnosing patients (Electronic Health Records).

In addition, minimizing medical mistakes, and providing safer care, and enabling safer, more dependable prescribing through enhancing the connection and communication between patients and providers as well as the accessibility of health care (Hoover, 2019). Nurses primarily use electronic health records to document clinical treatment, receive medication reminders, avoid drug interactions, and quickly access patient medical histories. However, EHR can contribute to medical errors if not well managed and fed with incorrect data.

Reference

Hoover, R. (2019). Benefits of using an electronic health record. Nursing2020 Critical Care, 12(1), 9-10.

DQ 1 Response to Shona Murphy (Electronic Health Records)

Hello, Murphy.

Thank you for an informative and comprehensive discussion. I concur that accessing patient records from electronic health records can be challenging, especially as a new nurse in a new hospital. You must demonstrate trustworthiness to be allowed to access the system. Clinical results, such as higher quality care and fewer medical errors, organizational outcomes, such as cost savings and operational improvements, and societal outcomes, such as enhanced research capacity,increased population health, and cost savings, are some of the potential advantages of EHRs (Honavar, 2020).

Despite these advantages, studies emphasize the disadvantages of EHRs, including high initial purchase prices, ongoing maintenance expenses, and workflow disruptions that cause temporary productivity losses due to learning a new system. Additionally, the HITECH Act specifically addresses the potential privacy concerns that patients may have about EHRs (Honavar, 2020). Experts and decision-makers agree that widespread adoption and meaningful use of EHRs can result in substantial advantages for patients and society.

Reference

Honavar S. G. (2020). Electronic medical records – The good, the bad, and the ugly. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 68(3), 417–418. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijo.IJO_278_20

DQ 1 Response to Tracey Lambert

Hello, Lambert.

You have provided a compelling argument for applying electronic health records in clinical practice. I agree that EHRs have increased the efficiency and effectiveness of nursing practice by enabling better patient records utilization and increased communication among providers. EHR systems can potentially change the health care system from one that relies primarily on paper to one that uses clinical and other information to help doctors offer patients greater quality care.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), also known as the “stimulus package,” which includes the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009, was signed into law specifically to encourage health providers to adopt EHR systems (Hoover, 2019).

I concur that a disparity exists in the adoption of EHRs. Despite these incentives, nurses, medical professionals, and hospitals have been sluggish in embracing any full EHR. Lack of computer expertise, expensive costs, security worries, workflow challenges, and time are all possible roadblocks. Nonetheless, using an EHR to manage drugs leads to better patient outcomes. EHRs reduced adverse medication occurrences by 52% (Hoover, 2019 (Electronic Health Records (EHR))).

Reducing duplicate test frequency and increasing efficiency are two other ways an EHR enhances therapy and clinical results. If doctors need to view the actual X-ray or the radiologist’s report, they can do so from within the program by accessing the radiological results stored in the EHR. Additionally, patients can read, print, and submit their health information to clinicians through portals that provide them access to their EHRs. Patients now have more power to act as their advocates.

Reference

Hoover, R. (2019). Benefits of using an electronic health record. Nursing2020 Critical Care, 12(1), 9-10.