Technological Innovations in Health Care
Technological Innovations in Health Care
Introduction
Written patient care records have been around ever since the days of Florence Nightingale, however it was not until the 1920’s and the creation of the Lloyd-George folder that formal medical care records were kept (Thompson and Wright, 2003).
In present times technology is increasingly being introduced within the National Health Service (NHS), its aims are clear; to improve the standards of care for patients and to provide an enhanced working environment for its employees (Cooper, 2012).
In 2002, the Department of Health (DoH) launched its National Programme for Information Technology (NPfIT) within the NHS, at a cost of £11.4 billion. The aim of the programme was to provide electronic medical records for every patient in the UK by 2010 this would then change the way in which the NHS and health care professionals use information, therefore providing better services and ultimately improving patient care (National Audit Office, 2011).
The topic of this assignment is to discuss the electronic care records system. This has been chosen as nurses have a professional and legal duty to keep accurate records (Wood, 2003), they record vital information about their patients throughout their shift, which they then have to communicate to other members of the multi–disciplinary team. Accurate documentation plays a significant part in the care of a patient; it improves accountability and provides written evidence of the care that a patient receives. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (2009) state that good record keeping is a key element of nursing and plays a vital role which aims to promote safe and effective care for every patient, as patient records provide evidence of the decisions made and of the care delivered.
Previously patient’s medical records have been held by their GP’s but with the development of electronic patient records these can be shared to allow NHS staff access to important medical information
Introduction
Written patient care records have been around ever since the days of Florence Nightingale, however it was not until the 1920’s and the creation of the Lloyd-George folder that formal medical care records were kept (Thompson and Wright, 2003).
In present times technology is increasingly being introduced within the National Health Service (NHS), its aims are clear; to improve the standards of care for patients and to provide an enhanced working environment for its employees (Cooper, 2012).
In 2002, the Department of Health (DoH) launched its National Programme for Information Technology (NPfIT) within the NHS, at a cost of £11.4 billion. The aim of the programme was to provide electronic medical records for every patient in the UK by 2010 this would then change the way in which the NHS and health care professionals use information, therefore providing better services and ultimately improving patient care (National Audit Office, 2011).
The topic of this assignment is to discuss the electronic care records system. This has been chosen as nurses have a professional and legal duty to keep accurate records (Wood, 2003), they record vital information about their patients throughout their shift, which they then have to communicate to other members of the multi–disciplinary team. Accurate documentation plays a significant part in the care of a patient; it improves accountability and provides written evidence of the care that a patient receives. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (2009) state that good record keeping is a key element of nursing and plays a vital role which aims to promote safe and effective care for every patient, as patient records provide evidence of the decisions made and of the care delivered.
Previously patient’s medical records have been held by their GP’s but with the development of electronic patient records these can be shared to allow NHS staff access to important medical information
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