Fluent Essays

One: Realistically yes, I think everybody can and should have a mandated electronical health record system by 2014. We now live in an age where everything is on the computer, appointments are scheduled through the computer, lab results can be checked through the computer, zoom meetings, eligibility and authorization is done through the computer. “Electronic health records (EHR) are a digital form of a patients’ paper chart, just an electronic form of what is already being documented at medical offices, (What is an Electronic Health Record (EHR), 2018). One day there will be no need for phones in health care provider offices because computer will have taken over everything. EHR systems are better to have because it very accessible everywhere. “the healthcare industry’s primary purpose has been altered to not only involve constant provision of safe, quality medical services but also involve the need to become highly proficient in the accumulation and communication of patient data and related patient care outcomes” (Morrison and Furlong, 2019). Paper can be lost and never recovered, never have to worry if a document is scanned into the EHR system or under the correct patient name. Where there are pluses to using this system there are down falls. As a health care manager, I do get concern because everything is through a cloud-based system now a days. It could be easier to hack the system since all patient info is technically online. Paper systems are safer when it comes to hackers, a person would have to break into an office and take pictures of patient information in order for HIPPA information to be out there. The EHR systems is supposed to be hard to get into but people have broken into major hospitals before people have hacked their way into the government before. It is a scary thought that everything is on the cloud and could potentially be hacked but there are security systems to prevent it, but it could happen. References: Morrison, E.E. & Furlong, B. (2019). Health care ethics: Critical issues for the 21st century. 4th ed. Burlington, MA. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. What is an electronic health record (EHR)? (2018, March). Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr Two: Electronic health records (EHR) are a digital form of a patients’ paper chart, just an electronic form of what is already being documented at medical offices, (What is an Electronic Health Record (EHR), 2018). EHR streamlines the way medical professionals view, analyze, send and compare patients’ information while they are in a physician’s care and with other providers. As stated, “About two-thirds of primary care physicians were using electronic health records,” (Little, 2015), and this seems high as its only for primary care physicians and this is not including the specialty, emergency room, etc. Mandating all providers on transferring electronic healthcare by 2014 or will receive a penalty is unrealistic because there are many issues and or problems that are facing when it comes on using electronic health records or EHR, such as concerning on higher cost, ability, training and back up support electronically that assist any possible issues that may come up while learning and using electronic health records system for any providers and or physicians. As a healthcare manager, this is concerning in regards of transitioning to a newer and unfamiliar system electronically. These concerning issues includes staffs insuring that they will be trained fully with the newer system while working with patients, meeting goals and deadlines for all patients and the possibility of the EHR systems not being ethical, especially in the hands of medical personnel or even patients themselves not being able to maneuver within a system (Morrison and Furlong, 2014). A patient’s information could be unknowingly merged with another or important information omitted, potentially altering a patient’s treatment or diagnosis and not putting the patient in harm’s way. References: Little, K. S. (2015, May 18). The Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Mandate. Retrieved from https://www.healthcarelaw-blog.com/2013/01/the-electronic-medical-records-emr-mandate.html Morrison, E., & Furlong, B. (2014). Health care ethics: Critical issues in the 21st century (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. What is an electronic health record (EHR)? (2018, March 21). Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr