By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    stress management for healthcare workers
    3 Tips For Healthcare Professionals: How To Stay Beautiful, Healthy, and Happy
    November 2, 2021
    importance of relaxing on the weekend for your health
    Importance of Relaxing During the Weekend for Optimal Health
    March 25, 2022
    LASIK Eye Surgery
    What Is LASIK Eye Surgery?
    May 16, 2022
    Latest News
    Health Benefits of Taking a Vacation to Reduce Your Stress
    September 27, 2023
    First Aid Training Enhancing Workplace Health and Safety
    September 25, 2023
    Beyond the Clinic: Medical Surveys Are a Roadmap to Passive Income for Doctors
    September 23, 2023
    5 Self-Care Habits to Help You Live an A+ Life
    September 21, 2023
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    medicare fraud
    Keeping an Eye Out for Medical Fraud
    December 16, 2013
    Pharma and the Empowered, Educated Patient
    September 20, 2011
    Do We Need New Vital Signs for Health?
    January 16, 2014
    Latest News
    Job Seekers with Disabilities Should at Health Insurance Benefits
    September 12, 2023
    Reasons That Drug Prices Are Rising to Unsustainable Levels
    September 12, 2023
    How Revenue Lifecycle Management Helps Healthcare Providers to Optimize Business Operations
    September 6, 2023
    The Hidden Benefits of Practice Exams for Medical Professionals
    September 6, 2023
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: 3 Steps Towards Adopting Electronic Health Records
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Aa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Aa
Search
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Hospital Administration > 3 Steps Towards Adopting Electronic Health Records
eHealthHospital AdministrationMedical RecordsSocial Media

3 Steps Towards Adopting Electronic Health Records

thielst
Last updated: 2011/08/16 at 8:59 AM
thielst
Share
8 Min Read
SHARE

 

EXCLUSIVE POST – There are a variety of forces driving us toward the adoption of electronic health records and the collection, transmission and analysis of data and information to improve patient care.  But, to some professionals the mere thought is a murky soup of acronyms, confusion and frustration.  I firmly believe a little reflection and refocusing will go a long way toward easing fears, so that is what this post is all about.

 

Defining the Landscape

More Read

EHR system adoption

What is Electronic Health Record (EHR)? Features and Benefits for Healthcare Providers and Patients   

Improving Endocrinology Revenue Recovery is Crucial
Types of Remote Access Solutions for Hospitals
What Are the Benefits of Attending Medical Sales College?
Subscription Management Solutions Are Crucial for Telemedicine

 

 

EXCLUSIVE POST – There are a variety of forces driving us toward the adoption of electronic health records and the collection, transmission and analysis of data and information to improve patient care.  But, to some professionals the mere thought is a murky soup of acronyms, confusion and frustration.  I firmly believe a little reflection and refocusing will go a long way toward easing fears, so that is what this post is all about.

 

Defining the Landscape

 

As a starting point, we should review a few key terms related to health records of organizational care (hospital, practice, clinic, skilled nursing facility, etc).  First, an electronic medical record (EMR) is a collection of health related information on an individual that can be created, gathered, managed, and consulted by authorized clinicians and staff within one healthcare organization. It becomes an electronic health record (EHR) when it conforms to nationally recognized interoperability standards and can be created, managed, and consulted by authorized clinicians and staff across more than one healthcare organization.  EHRs can also be integrated with departmental record components (lab, radiology, pharmacy, surgery, etc.) and a personal health record (PHR), which is created and managed by the consumer and shared with providers of their choosing. 

 

Health information exchange (HIE) is the electronic movement of health-related information among organizations according to nationally recognized standards and both administrative (eligibility, claims, enrollment, remittances, referrals, authorizations and other transactions) and clinical (documentation, orders, medication history, lab results, images, reports, etc.) data can be exchanged.   Health information organizations (HIO) provide the needed infrastructure to facilitate governance and coordinate administrative processes when multiple organizations are involved.

 

Together, EHRs and HIE are helping us move away from the data silos of proprietary systems (EMRs, PACS, other components, etc) toward interoperability and ultimately the creation of true longitudinal health records, which include all information from across organizations and systems and also incorporates data and information from remote monitoring devices and support networks. The envisioned Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) will be built upon a foundation of standards, services and policies that enable secure health information exchange over the Internet by HIOs and networks. 

 

One new tool to help healthcare organizations move closer toward the NHIN is the Direct Project; a simple, seamless, standards-based, inexpensive tool for exchanging structured data packets. The Direct Project expands upon available standards and service descriptions and provides an easy “on-ramp” for providers and organizations to address Stage 1 requirements for Meaningful Use and qualify for incentives.  Information contained in the secure messages can slide directly into an EHR, database or other digital receptacle, making it scalable and an especially useful tool for rural communities, small networks and anyone needing to connect with each and every little practice in a community. 

 

The Challenge of Privacy & Security

 

Privacy and security often arises (and rightly so) as an issue related to EHRs and any exchange of data, but there is a cost that needs to be balanced. 

 

The HITECH Act of 2009 does require stronger safeguards and notification when information breached, as well as, an incident risk assessment within 60 days of identifying the breach.  There is a risk of fines and penalties that can be levied by several agencies for any breach and the cost of detection, escalation and notification processes can be significant.   In addition, a breach of over 500 records (paper, electronic or otherwise) results in the organization being added to the Department of Health & Human Services’ Wall of Shame.  

 

To complicate this matter, malicious attacks are on the rise, so it is even more important for healthcare organizations and professionals to ensure that adequate management practices, safeguards and systems are in place to prevent and quickly identify any data loss.  Providers who are at greatest risk for malicious attacks are those who have inadequate resources and where security processes aren’t as well developed, especially as it relates to business associates. It is really unfortunate, but most healthcare organizations learn of data breaches from patient complaints (41%). 

 

Many in the industry believe the privacy and security conversation needs to include a review of transparency and rational discussion and definition of degrees of privacy. The conversation will also need to address who pays for security — currently another unfunded mandate in healthcare.

 

A Place for Social Media

 

There are also opportunities to incorporate social media and mobile health into EHRs.  One significant sign of what we can expect is found in the meaningful use criteria, which are based upon the need to collect and transmit information and data.  Longitudinal health is referenced along with specific criteria to:

 

  • fully engaging patients & their families in their healthcare
  • patient messaging in their preferred communication medium
  • self-management tools for patients with high priority health conditions
  • reporting experience of care measures online
  • upload and incorporate patient generated data into an EHR & clinical workflow

 

One example where this is a reality is the San Diego Beacon Community  providers who are building upon their health information technology infrastructure and exchange capabilities and incorporating social media and mHealth solutions.

 

Looking Ahead

 

The path ahead isn’t going to be an easy one, but it is one we must take.  Effective leaders recognize that changes in our healthcare delivery system are needed and they appreciate the opportunities offered by an expanding and maturing selection of health information technologies. Keeping a focus on the needs of the patient will help these leaders navigate the options and make those decisions that will truly result in improved care and safety at a reduced cost.

TAGGED: EHR, Electronic Health Records, EMR, HIT, social media

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
thielst August 16, 2011
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article Individual Mandate: Can PPACA Survive Without It?
Next Article Why Profit Is Our Best Friend

Stay Connected

1.5k Followers Like
4.5k Followers Follow
2.8k Followers Pin
136k Subscribers Subscribe

Latest News

Andropause hormonal decline
The Benefits of TRT for Andropause and Hormonal Decline
Wellness September 28, 2023
Cancer Prevention
The Importance of Lipoma Examination in Cancer Prevention
Cancer September 28, 2023
dental implant
Cost Analysis of Dental Implants in Australia
Dental health September 28, 2023
View,Of,Niagara,Falls,In,Autumn
Health Benefits of Taking a Vacation to Reduce Your Stress
Health September 27, 2023

You Might also Like

menopause and depression
Mental Health

How Menopause and Depression are Connected

September 13, 2023
medical billing training
Medicare

Navigating Through the Essentials: Medical Billing Training for Beginners

September 12, 2023
healthcare providers
Hospital Administration

How Revenue Lifecycle Management Helps Healthcare Providers to Optimize Business Operations

September 6, 2023
EHR Implementation
Technology

Step-by-Step Guide to EHR Implementation

August 20, 2023
Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Follow US
© 2008-2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?