Communication_and_Emr's

Communication and EMR's University of Phoenix HCS/490 September 27, 2010 Communication and EMR's Electronic Medical Records are just beginning to become popular in hospitals and medical clinics. Electronic medical records have the ability to transmit information quickly and effectively. This paper will illustrate some of the benefits of electronic medical records, the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality and security, why electronic medical records are an effective tool in communication, has media and social networking changed the communication in healthcare, and finally how have electronic medical records are used to market healthcare products and services. Benefits of electronic medical records A paper filing system is immense and these files take up a large amount of space. Retrieval and filing and refilling of charts are time consuming and labor intensive. If the chart is taken, then only one department is able to review the chart at one time. This can cause an impact of not being able to access the important patient information that will be needed to treat the patient effectively especially in an emergency situation. Paper charting cannot effectively be used and searched to follow, examine, and or chart numerous clinical processes and medical information. Paper filing also cannot be saved or copied easily off the premises. Doctor’s orders and any corresponding information, such as labs and prescriptions, can be handed out, stored, and looked after more effectively in an electronic medical record system. Electronic medical records can also improve the quality of care for the patient by combining and joining together the patient information that is vital in quality of care. Electronic medical records “provide admitting staff, physicians, and other care giving and business professionals’ appropriate access to common patient data while maintaining privacy requirements” ("Benefits of EMR", 2003, figure 1). This system also gives timely decisions on medical treatments, and the tools to improve the process and experience for the patient. Another benefit of Electronic medical records is their ability to adapt to regulatory changes such as HIPPA and other regulatory and legislative tests with complete and organized information. This information system permits management and administrators to easily confirm and document to any changes in any of the regulations. The system that handles the electronic medical records allows regulators and auditors to assess compliance rapidly. Finally, electronic medical records allow shared integrated information with better capability and ease. With electronic medical records the facility can improve quality care, decrease costs, and handle risk management more effectively. The importance of maintaining confidentially with EMR Healthcare providers understand the importance of HIPPA which was enacted in 1996. Health Insurance portability and Accountability act stresses security on any information about the patient. When choosing an EMR system, healthcare providers should not only consider HIPPA but other information security and privacy rules. When the system is installed healthcare providers should make sure the system takes care of any and all information and privacy security issues. Some of the important issues healthcare providers should take into consideration are confidentially and security of all patient information, the patients’ rights to privacy and confidentially information, any protection against information loss, only a few authorized people are allowed to have access to the information, antivirus software must be installed, and data encryption software should be installed. One of the biggest threats to electronic medical systems is hackers and identity theft. Reason why EMR is effective in communication Electronic medical records are an effective way to communicate because medical personnel has prompt access to the patient’s history and medical information rather than waiting days or hours. This issue becomes valuable in patient care especially if the patient cannot communicate with the doctor. Electronic medical records are beneficial in the case of traveling and the patient is being treated at a facility that is not in the patient’s network information can easily be transferred. Has media and social networking effected communication in healthcare Social networks endorse an assorted array of organizations and businesses to improve their stakeholder, industry and market information by influencing integration and user feedback. “Social networks hold considerable potential value for healthcare organizations because they can be used to reach stakeholders, aggregate information and leverage collaboration” (Keckley, 2009, para. 3). As patients use these networks to follow their care and healthcare conditions, organizations have the ability to work together with these online communities and to influence current data that inform people of any new care pathways and treatments. How EMRs are used to market healthcare products or services The use of electronic medical records will impact every single part of healthcare industries as well as information technology, test makers, device makers, and pharmaceutical manufactures. Healthcare companies can use these technology sites to advertise and inform patients of new innovations in healthcare products, medicines, and any recalls that have been issued. With the ease and versatility of the latest electronic medical records systems hospitals and doctors will discover that these systems not only save space but will reduce overhead which affects the bottom line. When establishing these systems maintenance and upgrade packages will need to be purchased. These can be costly but will ease the work load on the workers. Conclusion In conclusion EMRs not only improve quality care, save money and space but they also reduce the errors that can occur every day. This paper illustrated the benefits of electronic medical records, the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality and security, why electronic medical records are an effective tool in communication, has media and social networking changed the communication in healthcare, and finally, how have electronic medical records are used to market healthcare products and services. References Benefits of EMR. (2003). MSDC.com. Retrieved from www.msdc.com/EMR_Benefits.htm Keckley, P. H. (2009, July). Social networks in healthcare: communication, collaboration and insights. Deloitte. Retrieved from www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedStates/Local%20Assets/Documents/US_CHS_2010SocialNetworks_070710.pdf