Electronic Health Record Integration (EHR Integration) is the process of combining different systems to enhance the quality of health care provided by health facilities. This technology can either be offered as part of a complete system or can be offered separately. For example, electronic health record systems that are available as a part of a complete system typically include electronic health record administration software and a database management system. The administration software provides centralized access to all of the data and can be accessed via the EHR interface. On the other hand, standalone EHR systems can be integrated into various workflows and can also include applications specific to the EHR management task.
Electronic Health Record Integration
There are many benefits associated with electronic health record integration. Most notably, electronic health records can improve the quality and accuracy of patient’s information and reduce paper costs. By using electronic health record software, physicians, and others who manage patient information can enter the information into the electronic health records. This reduces the risk of errors caused due to incorrect formatting because the data is already processed and can be reconciled between the electronic health records and the hard copy version.
Increasing Efficiency
Another benefit is electronic health records can give you access to enter patient’s medical information more precisely, thereby increasing the efficiency with which these professions do their job and preventing unnecessary delays. Also, electronic health record systems allow for more efficient transfer of information within the healthcare organization. ehr integration may also lead to improved communication and collaboration between EHR administrators, providers, and other healthcare workers. This leads to improved patient care, better financial performance, and reduced costs.
However, there are also some disadvantages associated with electronic health records (EHR). For starters, EHR software can become costly over time. Even in cases where it is not customized to the organization’s needs, quality, functionality, and security may sometimes suffer due to the overuse of EHR software and integration with EHR solutions. Also, EHR solutions typically fail to provide access to the latest data and information because of poor maintenance of the electronic health record. Furthermore, it has been noted that in some instances electronic health records have led to inaccurate or incomplete information.
Reduce The Chances For Errors
The use of electronic health records has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. As noted above, electronic health records eliminate the manual entry of patient information and can significantly reduce the chances for errors. Also, electronic health records reduce the chances of miscommunication between healthcare workers such as physicians and nurses, and patients. EHR systems cannot be entirely relied upon to prevent or stop the development of medical errors. Moreover, the possibility of system failures and emergencies remains unchanged.
Before implementing electronic health records, organizations need to determine their needs and how they fit into an organization’s strategy to improve patient care. While this might seem like a complex task, consulting a health information technology department can help to determine what your organization needs to achieve these goals. Additionally, it is always a good idea to conduct a comprehensive quality review and audit periodically to ensure that your electronic health record implementation plan is meeting its goals. Ultimately, electronic health record integration can save time and money by reducing the paperwork involved in maintaining patient health records but care must be taken to ensure the integration is done properly.