The Pros And Cons Of Electronic Health Records

There are many arguments and discussions on whether to use electronic health records or personal health records. Electronic health records are inputted onto the computer and reachable as long as someone has the information to log into them. Personal health records contain the same type of information as electronic health records but they are only for patients. The patients manage and set them up. Both health records include diagnoses, medications, immunizations, family medical histories, and provider information. Electronic health records have the potential to improve the delivery of health care services. However, in the United States, physicians have been slow to adopt such systems. This study assessed physicians' adoption of outpatient electronic health records, their satisfaction with such systems, the perceived effect of the systems on the quality of care, and the perceived barriers to adoption. (Shekelle PG, 2006) (Parr 1) Electronic health records are built to collect data in a provider’s office and is a broader view of a patient. They contain information about the clinicians that the patient visits. Other clinicians involved with the patients care can also access the information to help provide the patient with the most efficient care. In my opinion, I would use an electronic health record
over personal health record. (HealthIT.gov) (parr. 2) Personal health records are only meant for the patients.
Not all of their providers have the same health records. If they were in Mexico and needed to know what the patient was allergic to or if the producer was okay to move on with they wouldn’t be able to know any of that because the file is at their original physician in the file cabinet. Some people would rather take the chance of only having the file at their physician’s because it makes them feel secure about their personal information. Others, like me, want to have electronic health records that way someone doesn’t give me an injection of something that I am allergic to if I am unconscious. (HealthIT.gov)
(parr.4) The security of electronic health records is enforced majorly. HIPAA is included in what they are allowed to put and do on the records. They watch for confidentially authentication, integrity, availability and accountability are all considered carefully. “The government also created the HIPAA Security Rule to require specific protections to safeguard your electronic health information. A few possible measures that can be built in to EHR systems may include: “Access control” tools like passwords and PIN numbers, to help limit access to your information to authorized individuals. “Encrypting” your stored information. That means your health information cannot be read or understood except by those using a system that can “decrypt” it with a “key.” An “audit trail” feature, which records who accessed your information, what changes were made and when.” (www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/.) (Parr. 8) HIPAA security complainants include understand why computer security is important, make certain your colleagues and staff take security as seriously as you do, catalog all the information system components that interact with protected health information in your office, prepare for disaster before it occurs, make sure your network and communications safeguards are intact and robust, be certain that you have anti-virus software and keep it up to date, understand what encryption will do and when it is necessary, consider chains of trust and your business relationships, demand that your vendors fully understand the HIPAA security standards, and start with a plan and the end in mind. (Kibbe, 2005) (parr. 6)