Implementing Electronic Health Records

Implementing Electronic Health Records

The electronic health record (EHR) system is premised on patient-centeredness. These systems have enhanced the flow of health information at the point of care and provided a better guarantee of data safety through its privacy provisions. Their role in quality maintenance and enhancement of healthcare operationalizations justifies their implementation across healthcare facilities.

Functional Considerations When Implementing EHR Systems

There are several considerations to make when implementing EHR systems. These include but are not limited to the security of the EHR system, interoperability of the system, and its compliance with the available regulations. In the modern era, where cybercrime and other malware attacks on health information software exist, protecting patients’ data against such is crucial. Thus, it is paramount that EHR systems have a defined security protocol and a framework that guarantees better security of patients’ health information. EHR systems should also have a good interoperability strategy to help healthcare organizations align them with other available health information technologies. The premise of EHR architecture should also be within the confines of the available regulations. This includes its alignment with patients’ privacy protection and the requirements of the care segment to which it is intended.

Regulatory Considerations for Implementing EHR Systems

There are several regulatory considerations for EHR systems. These include privacy and confidentiality, data inaccuracies, and security breaches (Aguirre et al., 2019). Per the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the pursuit of privacy and confidentiality enhancement in patient care requires that EHR systems architecture safeguards protected health information. All EHR systems are thus bound to comply with these regulations. Security breaches are another regulation that developers of these systems and caregivers must take into consideration. The systems should be unhackable. Data inaccuracies may jeopardize the care process and should thus be addressed at the point of care and during the design of the system.

Interoperability

Interoperability is the ability of an EHR system to exchange information with other systems, devices, and applications utilized in the care process. During the care process, especially care transition, interoperability becomes crucial in enhancing patient experiences as it ensures that caregivers have the right information as they require it (Turbow et al., 2021). Interoperability of EHR is thus important as it provides a better guarantee of properly coordinated care, provides seamless transfer of data, and optimizes patient care by ensuring that additional treatment and diagnostic assistive tools are incorporated within the system.

Data Integrity

Data integrity encompasses completeness, accuracy, consistency, validity, and timeliness of patient data. Maintaining data integrity is an essential aspect of patient care. With EHR implementation, ensuring data integrity provides a better safeguard of patient health information. It prevents vital health data from being breached and stored health information from being compromised. It also helps track patients’ progress during care transitions by providing accurate patient health information.

The Importance of Data Security When Implementing EHRs

Data security defines measures that help in protecting and securing protected health information. Ensuring data security remains a legal obligation for care organizations and the designers of EHR systems. It also helps inspire confidence in patients that their health information is safe and cannot be used maliciously.

Legal Concerns Surrounding EHR Implementation

Legal considerations surrounding the implementation of EHR are those related to privacy protection. As per the HIPAA provisions, care organizations have the pristine mandate to safeguard patient health information. This requires them to put in measures that will prevent leakages or breaches of PHI. While implementing EHR systems, care organizations must take keen consideration of the integrity of systems and their ability to repel breaches and information theft.

References

Aguirre, R. R., Suarez, O., Fuentes, M., & Sanchez-Gonzalez, M. A. (2019). Electronic health record implementation: A review of resources and Tools. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.5649 

Turbow, S., Hollberg, J. R., & Ali, M. K. (2021). Electronic health record interoperability: How did we get here and how do we move forward? JAMA Health Forum, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.0253

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Implementing Electronic Health Record

In this writing assignment, you will be writing a one- to two-page paper explaining the implementation of electronic health records.

Step 1 Reflect on your involvement with the implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) in the clinical setting (either as a practicing nurse or as a student in the clinical setting).

If you have not used an EHR, think about how you might implement an EHR in your practice setting. Answer the questions in Step 2 using this hypothetical EHR system.

Step 2 Address the following topics in your paper:

Explain at least three functional considerations to take into account when implementing an EHR.
Explain the regulatory considerations for implementing EHRs.
Explain interoperability. Why is interoperability important?
Explain data integrity. Why is data integrity important?
Explain why the security of data is important when implementing an EHR.
Explain the legal concerns surrounding the implementation of EHRs.
Cite any sources in APA format.