Background
Electronic health records are basically the digital versions of patients’ paper chart. They are the actual patient centered records which avail information securely and instantly to the designated and authorized users, meaning the information cannot be availed to everybody. In most cases the electronic health records do not contain treatment or medical histories of the patients but they are designed to contain more standard clinical data collected to include the broader view of the patient’s care program. The electronic health records can;
· Streamline and automate the workflow of a healthcare provider
· Enable healthcare providers access to evidence-based tools they can use to make decisions about the care program to outline for a given patient
· They outline the patients’ immunization dates, medications, medical histories, test results, allergies, treatment plans and even radiology images.
The most significant feature of the electronic health records is the essence that it can be created and managed by the designated and authorized users in a digital form that can be shared by other health care providers within the health care organization (Palma, 2013). The electronic health records are designed to share critical patient information with other health care providers and organizations such as specialists, pharmacies, school and workplace clinics, laboratories and emergency facilities. Essentially, electronic health records contain information from all health care providers involved in the care of a patient.
Problem statement
The health care globally is transitioning to an era of technological advancements through the adoption and implementation of electronic health records. All levels of health care organizations have so far embraced the electronic health records systems with the main aim of improving on efficiency and effectiveness in the health care system. Such transitions in technology as well are characterized by incorporation of health care informatics in the essence that health care facilities set up a link between communications, information technology and medical services with the ultimate goal of quality patient care.
Thesis statement
This research paper aims at analyzing how the electronic health records has impacted the health care industry.