Introduction
An electronic health record (EHR) is a medical record format that is stored and processed on computer media. The EHR allows patients and providers to monitor diagnostic and treatment results online. The main advantage of the EHR is accessibility from anywhere in the region. The use can be challenging through staff literacy and workplace reorganization. This essay discusses these challenges and how to address them.
Problems
Since the EHR is a system that requires computer technology, one of the challenges is the clinic’s ability to provide staff with equipment. Having PCs and tablets available to every practicing doctor or nurse is not possible due to the high cost of this arrangement (Reisman, 2017). However, since most staff uses EHRs, this problem must be solved. In addition, the availability of equipment is also an issue in emergencies and critical situations. Another issue is the security of the data entered into the electronic system (Keshta, & Odeh, 2020). Although tiered access usually solves this problem, data leaks are still an important issue in medicine. Finally, the third leading problem is staff education about the use of EHRs: not everyone knows how to use it. As a result, staff unfamiliarity causes a decrease in the quality of services provided.
Causes
The reasons for the dysfunction in all three cases should be attributed to the unprofessionalism of staff at different levels. Fixing the problem requires educational courses and increased hands-on training (Keshta, & Odeh, 2020). The main barriers to a solution are finding teachers and the clinic’s ability to allocate time for doctors and nurses without compromising workflow (Reisman, 2017). However, these can be overcome with the help of tools such as online guides and electronic assistants. I will follow the strategy of online training and try to disseminate this material to my colleagues.
Benefits
The benefits of using the EHR system are primarily in the 24/7 access to information. All parties benefit: Patients keep track of their care, and providers have timely reports on the current situation in the clinic. Another benefit of the EHR is that providers can pull information together and group it in a convenient order. It allows them to look at each case individually and in the aggregate and, as a result, improves the quality of services. Finally, the benefit of patient involvement is that all parties are honest with each other through the access provided. Patients are more involved in their treatment if they have access to complete information and can see it. Paper media cannot be reproduced, so it is less effective than EHRs.
Conclusion
Thus, the EHR is an effective and affordable tool for patients and providers. Issues such as equipment availability, cybersecurity, and gaps in staff training can affect EHR performance. However, training, practice, and online education can be avoided or at least significantly reduced. The online format eliminates the barriers of time and finding trainers. Finally, the system’s advantages are 24/7 quick access to information, storage and consolidation of all data, and patient engagement.
References
Keshta, I., & Odeh, A. (2020). Security and privacy of electronic health records: Concerns and challenges. Egyptian Informatics Journal, 22(2), 177-183.
Reisman, M. (2017). EHRs: The challenge of making electronic data usable and interoperable.P & T: A Peer-Reviewed Journal for Formulary Management, 42(9), 572–575.