Electronic Health Records

Author(s):  
Olga Galani ◽  
Ageliki Nikiforou

The electronic health record is a means of organizing patient data making profound use of the advances in the field of information technology. Its purpose is to fulfill the various needs for information not only of patients and healthcare providers but also of other beneficiaries. The implementation of EHR systems in healthcare organizations is very complex and involves many parameters. This article is about the challenges faced by those undertaking such a task and about the potential benefits from a successful implementation.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamadur Shudayfat ◽  
Çağdaş Akyürek ◽  
Noha Al-Shdayfat ◽  
Hatem Alsaqqa

BACKGROUND Acceptance of Electronic Health Record systems is considered an essential factor for an effective implementation among the Healthcare providers. In an attempt to understand the healthcare providers’ perceptions on the Electronic Health Record systems implementation and evaluate the factors influencing healthcare providers’ acceptance of Electronic Health Records, the current research examines the effects of individual (user) context factors, and organizational context factors, using Technology Acceptance Model. OBJECTIVE The current research examines the effects of individual (user) context factors, and organizational context factors, using Technology Acceptance Model. METHODS A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used, in which 319 healthcare providers from five public hospital participated in the present study. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which was based on the Technology Acceptance Model. RESULTS Jordanian healthcare providers demonstrated positive perceptions of the usefulness and ease of use of Electronic Health Record systems, and subsequently, they accepted the technology. The results indicated that they had a significant effect on the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of Electronic Health Record, which in turn was related to positive attitudes towards Electronic Health Record systems as well as the intention to use them. CONCLUSIONS User attributes, organizational competency, management support and training and education are essential variables in predicting healthcare provider’s acceptance toward Electronic Health records. These findings should be considered by healthcare organizations administration to introduce effective system to other healthcare organizations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Lintz

Abstract Background A Master Patient Index (MPI) system is essentially a database that is built into an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system to maintain a unique identifier for each patient seen at the organizational or enterprise level. The current study is to identify the gaps between the revenue cycle and patient information functionalities used in Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in collecting and reporting patient information. Additional focus was on perceptions of healthcare professionals who are familiar with MPI systems on the impact of these gaps of ensuring maximum reimbursements and adequacy of services provided. The study also sought to glean their perceptions vis-a-vis key challenges in the EHRs that affect organizational workflow. Methods A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information from healthcare professionals responsible for the MPI. The population studied is healthcare organizations using EPIC as the Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Results This study confirmed systems gaps between EPIC and other downstream systems used by the healthcare organizations to process patient information, as well as the extent of patient matching challenges that healthcare professionals have encountered in the MPI. These challenges include varying methods of matching patient data; lack of data standardization; absence of policies and procedures; frequently changing demographic data; multiple required data points needed for record matching; and default and null values in key-identifying fields. Conclusions The study offered evidence found in the literature that implies that duplicate records continue to plague healthcare organizations. Widespread technological interoperability insufficiency among healthcare facilities points to future challenges for federal policy makers as they seek to promote interoperability programs to demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT). Key messages The study confirmed that despite a low level of duplication in the MPI, the organizations have lost revenue during the last 6 months. Duplicate records in the EHR systems has led to downstream problems in the revenue cycle, including denials and insurance takebacks that impact hospital revenue cycle efficiency.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Scheck McAlearney ◽  
Cynthia Sieck ◽  
Jennifer Hefner ◽  
Julie Robbins ◽  
Timothy R. Huerta

Background. Ambulatory care practices have increasing interest in leveraging the capabilities of electronic health record (EHR) systems, but little information is available documenting how organizations have successfully implemented these systems.Objective. To characterize elements of successful electronic health record (EHR) system implementation and to synthesize the key informants' perspectives about successful implementation practices.Methods. Key informant interviews and focus groups were conducted with a purposive sample of individuals from US healthcare organizations identified for their success with ambulatory EHR implementation. Rigorous qualitative data analyses used both deductive and inductive methods.Results. Participants identified personal and system-related barriers, at both the individual and organization levels, including poor computer skills, productivity losses, resistance to change, and EHR system failure. Implementation success was reportedly facilitated by careful planning and consistent communication throughout distinct stages of the implementation process. A significant element of successful implementation was an emphasis on optimization, both during “go-live” and, subsequently, when users had more experience with the system.Conclusion. Successful EHR implementation requires both detailed planning and clear mechanisms to deal with unforeseen or unintended consequences. Focusing on user buy-in early and including plans for optimization can facilitate greater success.


2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vipul Gupta ◽  
Mirza B. Murtaza

During last few years, healthcare organizations have been increasingly focused on implementation and use of electronic health records. This article identifies the benefits and challenges in implementing electronic health records utilizing service-oriented architecture. The paper also explores the potential of service-oriented architecture in the development of interoperable electronic health records.


2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Seymour ◽  
Dean Frantsvog ◽  
Tod Graeber

Electronic Health Records are electronic versions of patients’ healthcare records. An electronic health record gathers, creates, and stores the health record electronically. The electronic health record has been slow to be adopted by healthcare providers. The federal government has recently passed legislation requiring the use of electronic records or face monetary penalties. The electronic health record will improve clinical documentation, quality, healthcare utilization tracking, billing and coding, and make health records portable. The core components of an electronic health record include administrative functions, computerized physician order entry, lab systems, radiology systems, pharmacy systems, and clinical documentation. HL7 is the standard communication protocol technology that an electronic health record utilizes. Implementation of software, hardware, and IT networks are important for a successful electronic health record project. The benefits of an electronic health record include a gain in healthcare efficiencies, large gains in quality and safety, and lower healthcare costs for consumers. Electronic health record challenges include costly software packages, system security, patient confidentiality, and unknown future government regulations. Future technologies for electronic health records include bar coding, radio-frequency identification, and speech recognition. 


2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-22
Author(s):  
Rosemary Griffin

National legislation is in place to facilitate reform of the United States health care industry. The Health Care Information Technology and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) offers financial incentives to hospitals, physicians, and individual providers to establish an electronic health record that ultimately will link with the health information technology of other health care systems and providers. The information collected will facilitate patient safety, promote best practice, and track health trends such as smoking and childhood obesity.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weam Alfayez ◽  
Arwa Alumran ◽  
Dr Saja A. Al-Rayes

BACKGROUND Many theories/ models adopted from behavioral sciences literature or developed within the field of information technologies could help in understanding the technology acceptance, usage, and effective adoption. OBJECTIVE The main aim of this paper is to review the different theories/ models that can help in understanding information technology/system acceptance and use, and to choose the most appropriate theoretical framework that could be applied to understand the factors influencing physicians’ use of the Electronic Health Record system (EHR) at King Fahd Military Medical Complex (KFMMC) in Dhahran city, Saudi Arabia. METHODS The theories/ models were reviewed using scientific databases. The inclusion criteria were if the theories/ models used to explain individual behaviors toward accepting and using of information technology including the once conducted within the healthcare. RESULTS The review showed that there were five theories/ models were used within information technology studies to understand the technology acceptance and used. There were Theory of Reasoned Action, Theory of Planned Behaviour, Innovation Diffusion Theory, Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, and Technology Acceptance Model. Each has different explanatory power of technology use. The most appropriate theoretical framework to understand the reason behind physician use of the EHR at KFMMC would be the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). TAM model could explain up to 75% of the variation in the behavioral intention (acceptance), and up to 62% of the variation in the actual use. It is the gold standard for assessing the usage of health technologies and systems. In fact, the TAM model is one of the core models used to explore the physician’s perceptions of the Electronic Health Record system adoption. CONCLUSIONS This review showed that there are different theories available in the literature can be used to justify the reason behind electronic health record acceptance. TAM is one of the effective, simplest models used to understand the factors influencing physicians to use the EHR-system. Further studies need to apply the TAM model to check its ability in explaining the reason behind EHR within different hospitals in Saudi Arabia


2006 ◽  
Vol 45 (03) ◽  
pp. 240-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Shabo

Summary Objectives: This paper pursues the challenge of sustaining lifetime electronic health records (EHRs) based on a comprehensive socio-economic-medico-legal model. The notion of a lifetime EHR extends the emerging concept of a longitudinal and cross-institutional EHR and is invaluable information for increasing patient safety and quality of care. Methods: The challenge is how to compile and sustain a coherent EHR across the lifetime of an individual. Several existing and hypothetical models are described, analyzed and compared in an attempt to suggest a preferred approach. Results: The vision is that lifetime EHRs should be sustained by new players in the healthcare arena, who will function as independent health record banks (IHRBs). Multiple competing IHRBs would be established and regulated following preemptive legislation. They should be neither owned by healthcare providers nor by health insurer/payers or government agencies. The new legislation should also stipulate that the records located in these banks be considered the medico-legal copies of an individual’s records, and that healthcare providers no longer serve as the legal record keepers. Conclusions: The proposed model is not centered on any of the current players in the field; instead, it is focussed on the objective service of sustaining individual EHRs, much like financial banks maintain and manage financial assets. This revolutionary structure provides two main benefits: 1) Healthcare organizations will be able to cut the costs of long-term record keeping, and 2) healthcare providers will be able to provide better care based on the availability of a lifelong EHR of their new patients.


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