EHRs: Quick And Easy Access Vital
Studies show easy and efficient access to a patient’s EHR is critical in providing safe and effective care, as well as help cut back on healthcare spending.
As hospitals continue the transition from paper documents to electronic health records (EHRS), it is becoming increasingly apparent that healthcare itself is being revolutionized. This EHR revolution is creating great number of interesting challenges and opportunities.
Of these hot-button topics, easy access to EHR systems is one of the most talked about issues today. Ease, and speed, of access benefits all of healthcare, from physicians to nurses to patients to administrators. Still, many believe things are moving too slowly and providers concerns aren’t being taken into account.
Providing a system for healthcare providers to quickly and easily access the EHR has the potential to save healthcare facilities a serious amount of cash. According to Digital Journal, connectivity across multiple platforms, including mobile applications, “will save medical institutions millions in cost savings and end the practice of ripping and replacing IT systems. IT resources spent monitoring the currency of multiple systems can be eliminated and deployed to other projects.”
According to Terry Wagner, CIO of Upstate Medical University, the importance of easy access is magnified with the growth and acceptance of mobile access. In a letter to the Editor posted on Syracuse.com, Terry writes, “This seamless flow of information from physician to patient, from hospital to patient is a remarkable first step in building an information superhighway that will allow the secure exchange of health information to those providing care, no matter where you might be – across town or across the country.”
Terry places additional emphasis on the empowerment behind patient’s having access to their own medical records and how this information can help them to manage their health effectively.
While the expansion of remote access to EHRs is important, another area of concern is the transfer of the medical record across institutions. There have been direct links established showing the necessity of EHR access for effective clinical decision making. In a study published by HealthAffairs, it was found that radiologic decisions made in the ER were dependent on access to the patient’s EHR.
The study’s findings are summarized, “Healthcare providers must recognize the value of implementing EHRs and the potential harm that may come from their absence, while policy makers need to continuously work toward nationwide exchange of healthcare information.”