All You Need to Know About Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Posted on: Aug 4, 2023 | | Written by:

All You Need to Know About Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Published on August 03, 2023. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

The healthcare industry has long grappled with one major challenge—managing patient information. The days of traditional paper-based medical records are way behind us. The digital world has found a solution that is not only error-free but also saves time. Say hello to Electronic Health Records (EHR) which offers a transformative solution to many existing problems of medical record-keeping. By digitising and centralising patient data, EHR systems have the potential to revolutionise healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.

What are Electronic Health Records?

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are digital versions of your health records stored securely in a system. All information about your health such as your medical history, diagnosis, lab test reports, medications, allergies, and vaccination record. EHR is a repository of your health information that healthcare professionals can access easily and quickly enabling them to provide better diagnosis and treatment. EHRs are considered a game changer in the healthcare sector.

What is the importance of EHRs in modern healthcare in India?

Although Electronic Health Records have their challenges such as privacy concerns, security issues, and technical glitches, one cannot undermine their importance in modern healthcare in a country like India. As EHRs allow doctors to access accurate patient information in real-time, they help in better care and treatment for patients. Whenever a patient needs, he/she can access their own medical information online easily and there’s no fear of being misplaced or damaged.

How do EHRs differ from paper records?

• With Electronic Health Records, you don't have to worry about losing or damaging paper files. Your information is just a few clicks away, making it easy to access and share with healthcare providers.

• Unlike paper records, EHRs eliminate the risk of human error because the information is directly entered into the system.

• Electronic Health Records also allow for more efficient care. Your medical info isn't stuck in one place; it's accessible from any computer with internet access. This means doctors can collaborate on your healthcare in real time.

• In terms of security, EHRs offer better protection for your information. Unlike paper records that can be damaged or misplaced, EHRs being encrypted and password-protected, make it harder for unauthorised people to access your medical info.

Benefits of Electronic Health Records

Now that you know what EHR is, let’s take a look at the benefits:

• Improved readability: Electronic Health Records ensure that all information is typed out and easily legible.

• Reduced medical errors: Direct entry of information into the system minimises the risk of mistakes.

• Enhanced care coordination: EHRs facilitate better coordination among healthcare providers.

• Increased patient engagement: Patients can access their medical information and actively participate in their own care.

• Enhanced patient safety: EHRs reduce duplicate tests and medication errors, promoting patient safety.

Challenges of Electronic Health Records

Some of the challenges faced by Electronic Health Records are:

• One of the biggest challenges lies in meticulous data entry and formatting. Even the slightest error in data can lead to wrong diagnosis and treatment, thereby affecting the overall health of the patient. Hence, it is very important that all the information is recorded accurately with easy and quick access.

• If a person or organisation is not comfortable with technology, EHRs can seem like a cumbersome tool. This challenge can be overcome with proper training and support so that system can be easily used by everyone.

• The integration of EHRs with other healthcare systems, such as labs, pharmacies, or additional providers, can pose a challenge. Establishing seamless communication between systems is imperative for delivering comprehensive care and improving patient outcomes.

• It can be a challenge for smaller organizations to adopt EHRs because of the costs involved in their implementation and maintenance.

• Patients or healthcare providers will not opt for EHR if they can’t understand how to access the health information.

Best practices for EHR use and maintenance

• Train your staff

EHR is a new concept and not many employees are well-trained to utilise its ability. Spend some time and resources on learning and development of those professionals who will use it on a day-to-day basis. Also, do regular knowledge checks to see if your efforts to train professionals are bearing fruit.

• Rules rule for a reason

When you put policies in place regarding topics such as data entry, data sharing, data security, and access controls, you can eliminate the chances of mismanagement of data and ensure efficacy.

• Updated systems deliver the best result

Technology is evolving. There will be many updates your way that will improve the performance of the tool. Make sure you keep updating your software to keep cyber breaches away.

• Backup data is your backup plan

Anything that can go wrong may go wrong. So, have your Plan B in place. The data backup is very crucial and can save the day in case of system failure, natural disasters, or other unforeseen events.

• Protect patient data at any cost

EHR is of no value if you lose your patients’ health information. And how can you protect patient data? Well, use appropriate cybersecurity measures. It may include password protection, multiple authentications, access controls, encryption, etc.

• Audit the system

EHRs also need health checkups and these come in the form of system audits. These can help you diagnose any discrepancies and address them immediately before they become critical. Audits around data accuracy and security can ensure the system’s efficient functioning.

• Consider acting on the feedback

Timely feedback from your staff and the patients can help you improve systems.

The future of EHR is here: Emerging trends and innovations

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can make Electronic Health Records more powerful, thereby, analysing patient data efficiently, making a correct diagnosis of any health issue, and detecting any health risks.

• Cloud-based EHRs are definitely much better than on-premise EHRs. The information can be easily accessed from any system and from anywhere with an internet connection. These cloud-based EHRs will also provide improved data security, and enhanced backup options.

• Integrating EHRs with telehealth platforms can help providers to better manage telehealth visits, share patient information, and communicate in real time.

• Experience the power of mobile devices with EHRs designed specifically for them. Providers can access patient information with ease while patients can conveniently access their health records from their smartphones.

• EHRs evolve to include advanced patient engagement tools like patient portals, tools to schedule appointments, and messaging systems. These tools will help improve communication between patient and healthcare provider, help patients to take care of their health, and enhance the overall healthcare experience.

• Seamlessly communicating and sharing data with other healthcare organizations and systems can help improve coordination, avoid duplicate testing, and elevate patient outcomes.

FAQs

1. Are there any disadvantages of EHRs?

Though EHRs come with many benefits, there are some potential demerits. Some patients may not feel comfortable storing their medical information digitally which will be accessible by healthcare providers while some may cite security issues. Patients and healthcare professionals who are not tech-savvy will not opt for it and they may find it time-consuming.

2. Are EHRs cost-effective?

Yes. Since all information including diagnosis and tests are stored in one place, EHRs can help minimise healthcare costs by reducing the necessity to repeat tests and other procedures. With patient information at their fingertips, the healthcare professionals can diagnose potential health risks leading to earlier treatment and lower costs in the long run.

3. Are EHRs used by all healthcare providers?

Most healthcare providers use EHR as it is a convenient method to access patient information. They can access the information from anywhere with just a few clicks enabling better patient-doctor coordination.

Conclusion

Maintaining medical records in paper format can be tedious. You not only have to keep it safely but also have to carry all the documents while consulting a doctor. There’s also a risk of being misplaced/damaged. With EHR, a patient’s medical history can be quickly and easily accessed by healthcare providers with just a few clicks helping patients receive better care more quickly. For financial security against rising medical expenses, make sure you have comprehensive health insurance plans. If you or your parents are above 60 years, the best option is senior citizen health insurance along with critical illness cover because, with age, the risk of contracting critical illnesses is high.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

What is an E-Insurance Account? What are its Benefits?

Everything You Need To Know About National Digital Health Mission

Union Budget 2022: National Digital Health Ecosystem announced; time to get a digital Health ID Card? Here’s how

Health insurance online vs offline - here's what you need to know

Benefits of Preventive Healthcare to Employees for Saving Future Costs