Electronic Medical Records
Unit 9 Electronic Medical Records
Electronic medical records are becoming one of the newest technologies in today’s world. Electronic medical records not only help in reducing medical errors, but they are easier to store, take less time to file and are much easier to recover in a natural disaster. People still worry about privacy but knowing that HIPAA still provides protection provides some relief. Many worry about their jobs, but in research it hasn’t seemed to affect jobs, with unemployment rates at an all-time high, this is good news.
In researching electronic medical records (EMRs), it was noticed that there are different terms used; one is electronic health records (EHRs). According to the Texas Medical Association “There is a clear and functional distinction between the two.” “Electronic Medical records are to replace paper records, while electronic health records are a record of your long-term and aggregate health information generated by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting.” (Texas Medical Association, 2010). It would be easier to just use one name for everything, and combine all medical records together for each person therefore every doctor can be on the same page for their patient. It is understood why doctors don’t want to switch, as it could get very confusing.
Many doctors, pharmacies, dentists and labs are starting to use EMRs more often. According to Roger Chaufourmier, “As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has been authorized to provide a reimbursement incentive for eligible Medicare and Medicaid providers who are successful in implementing certified EMRs and achieving ‘meaningful use.’ It would be greatly beneficial that for most doctors to take advantage of such an incentive” (Chaufournier 2010). According to Bruce Jaspen, “Physicians will be able to send prescriptions with just a click on the computer, so by the time patients
Electronic medical records are becoming one of the newest technologies in today’s world. Electronic medical records not only help in reducing medical errors, but they are easier to store, take less time to file and are much easier to recover in a natural disaster. People still worry about privacy but knowing that HIPAA still provides protection provides some relief. Many worry about their jobs, but in research it hasn’t seemed to affect jobs, with unemployment rates at an all-time high, this is good news.
In researching electronic medical records (EMRs), it was noticed that there are different terms used; one is electronic health records (EHRs). According to the Texas Medical Association “There is a clear and functional distinction between the two.” “Electronic Medical records are to replace paper records, while electronic health records are a record of your long-term and aggregate health information generated by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting.” (Texas Medical Association, 2010). It would be easier to just use one name for everything, and combine all medical records together for each person therefore every doctor can be on the same page for their patient. It is understood why doctors don’t want to switch, as it could get very confusing.
Many doctors, pharmacies, dentists and labs are starting to use EMRs more often. According to Roger Chaufourmier, “As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has been authorized to provide a reimbursement incentive for eligible Medicare and Medicaid providers who are successful in implementing certified EMRs and achieving ‘meaningful use.’ It would be greatly beneficial that for most doctors to take advantage of such an incentive” (Chaufournier 2010). According to Bruce Jaspen, “Physicians will be able to send prescriptions with just a click on the computer, so by the time patients
References: Chaufournier, Roger. Expanded electronic health record use will provide long-term benefits. The Charleston Gazette. http://www.wvgazette.com/Opinion/ OpEdCommentaries/201012131132 (December 13, 2010) Harrison, P., & Ramanujan, S.. (2011). Electronic Medical Records: Great Idea Or Great Threat To Privacy? The Review of Business Information Systems, 15 (1), 1-7. Retrieved April 18, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 2306399681). Chun-Ju Hsiao, Ph.D.; Paul C. Beatty, Ph.D.; Esther S. Hing, M.P.H.; David A. Woodwell, B.A.; Elizabeth A. Rechtsteiner, M.S.; and Jane E. Sisk, Ph.D., Division of Health Care Statistics. NCHS Health E-Stat. http:// www.cdc.gov/nchs/ data/hestat/emr_ehr/emr_ehr.htm (December 23, 2009) Japsen Bruce. (12 April). Electronic medical records poised to cut costs, improve patient care. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Retrieved April 15, 2011, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 2317079311). Morantz Carrie and Huntzinger Amber. American Family Journal. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0901/p951.html (2005 Sept 1) Ramiek James Esq. HIPAA. Department of Health and Mental Hygeine. http:// www.dhmh.state.md.us/hipaa/whatishipaa.html (2011 April 25) Texas Medical Associates. Electronic Medical Record? Electronic Health Record? Whats the difference? http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=5278 (06/28/2010) United States Department of Labor. Your Health Plan And HIPAA. Making The Law Work For You. http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/yhphipaa.html (1996)