Family Practice EHR (Electronic Health Record)
Practitioners like anyone else practice speciality and can benefit from the Electronic Health Record (EHR) software. But the electronic health record system should be able to suit the needs of practitioners. A family practice EHR should assist the practitioner to foster long term relationship with their patients and provide aid in incorporating number of complaints.
EHR is very critical in the modern era to improve patient care. Nowadays many practitioners are attracting to adopt electronic health record system with the aim to improve efficiency, minimize cost, reduce chances of lost records, prevent medical and clinical errors, enhance credibility of billing procedures and provide mobile access to patients.
Electronic Health Record (EHR) system enables practitioner to benefit from some useful features such as electronic alert system, reminders and easily monitoring records. EHR is often mentioned for its capability to prevent medical and clinical errors that help to avoid additional drug costs and ensure timely availability of medical history during emergency.
EHR is replacing old techniques of recording data in manual, handwritten and fax notes. But many in healthcare industry face adoption difficulties. Before choosing any EHR system, practitioner needs to consider the following factors;
1. Does the EHR suit my needs?
Practitioners need to ask their vendor whether the EHR system will offer solution to their current and future needs. Practitioners and hospitals should ask the following questions from vendors; is it easy to use? How secure the system is? Does it keep back-up of files? Does the system incorporate complaints registered by clients?
2. Cost of Installing
Practitioners need to review prices of different EHRs system. Some vendors charge very high price which may be unaffordable but some offers EHR software at the low cost but it does not have all features you need for your clinic or hospital. Practitioners need to ask vendors about initial cost, license fee, up-gradation status, and additional cost of other functions.
3. Friendly Transition
Adopting EHR that is easy to use is vital for clinic smooth activities and transaction for your practice. Practitioners should ensure that the system is not complex and staff can be trained quickly and efficiently. Practitioners need to assure that the system he is buying prevent him from buying additional hardware etc. Nowadays Cloud-Based EHRs are in the market that can prevent users to acquire any additional hardware. But any EHRs that a practitioner chooses to acquire should confirm that it has an easy interface.
4. Complete System or Module?
Practitioners can either choose complete EHR system or module. Complete EHR system is automated and has all features such as patient registration, scheduling, medical and clinical documentation, order entry and billing etc. If practitioner has already EHR system then he may not need to acquire complete system; he/she may adopt modular system. Modular system can minimize the cost but it may require longer implementation timetable. Before opting practitioners and users must analyzed modular system connectivity with the system and its feasibility, otherwise it can affect efficiency.
5. Certified EHR system
One of the important factor to consider when buying electronic health record system is to ask your vendor whether the EHR system is certified or not? If practitioner wants to enjoy government incentive program; he/she must confirm that the EHR system is certified. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provide reimbursement up to $44,000 for purchasing EHR software. To be eligible for this program the software needs to function in conformity with HITEC Act.
Key components of Electronic Health records
Patients health record may be stored in electronic format which can be accessed by authorized users located at geographically different places. Records can be tracked by using latest and innovative electronically health record system. Followings are the main components of an effective EHR system;
1. Patient’s record management
It is essential to maintain record of patient’s registration, admission and discharge. Registration includes the most important information about patients such as contact information, insurance plan, address and demographic. When a patient is registered in Electronic Health Record Software, he is issued with an ID known as Medical Record Number. Patient’s medical reports and observations, assessment, and diagnosis reports are linked to patients ID which is the core of electronic health record.
2. Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)
Computerized physician order entry is the other component of EHR which is used for electronic documentation. CPOE allows authorized users to document physical, history, and nursing notes etc.
3. Laboratory component
Laboratory Information System (LIS) is used to link billing, scheduling, and capture test results from laboratory components. This feature enables hospital to integrate billing department and laboratory.
Role of IT and electronic medical services
IT plays significant role in revolutionizing health industry. With the invention of new technologies and its usefulness has great impact on health sector that may list below;
1. Patients portal
Electronic Health Record (EHR) removes the need of paper record which was complex and would waste numerous working hours in recording, organizing and searching papers. By electronically recording, the process is rational and very feasible. It removes the cost of paper, printing and other physical cost related to manual recording. Therefore, it saves time and money both.
2. Archived records
Health records are electronically saved to EHR after rendering health services. Unlike manual records which were subject to depreciation, scattered records, wastage of time, high cost etc. It is a general practice across many countries to maintain records for at least 7 years. Therefore, it cuts additional cost and offers convenient way to have all information at one place.
3. Safety of information
As health records are stored electronically and patient’s records are linked to their ID known as Medical Record Number are safe and secure. This information cannot be accessed everyone, it can only be accessed by authorized users. Patient’s records can only be accessed by health provider and staff.
As information is stored electronically which are always vulnerable to electronic theft; to prevent electronic threat the government enacted Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITEC) which would serve as a safeguard against electronic threats. The regulations are laid down in HITEC and every user is obliged to follow them. In case of incompliance the user will have to face penalties.