Advantages and Disadvantages of Electronic Health Record Systems
Electronic health record (EHR) systems are digital versions of a person’s overall medical history. They are maintained by one provider, but can be shared with specialists and other medical caregivers when needed. EHRs contain key clinical data that is relevant to the development of a treatment plan, such as progress notes, medications, appointments, and demographic information.
EHRs have been widely adopted by medical providers, hospitals, and clinics in recent years, as they offer many benefits for healthcare delivery and quality. However, EHRs also pose some challenges and drawbacks that need to be considered. In this blog post, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of EHR systems for independent practices.
Advantages of EHR Systems
Some of the main advantages of EHR systems are:
– Financial incentive: Medical providers who computerize their traditional records with a certified EHR system can obtain or continue receiving financial incentives from programs such as Medicaid or Medicare. These programs require providers to demonstrate meaningful use of EHRs, which means using them to improve patient care and outcomes.
– Proper documentation: EHR systems allow providers to create templates that direct them to enter specific notes or records for every patient. This ensures that all the required information is accurately documented and standardized across different visits and patients.
– Patient access: EHR systems enable providers to create online portals where patients can access their own medical records anytime and anywhere. This allows patients to reference their treatment plans, understand their health status, and communicate with their providers more easily.
– Time saving: EHR systems can save time for both providers and patients by allowing them to input their own data directly into the records. Patients can fill out their information online before their visits, reducing the need for paper forms and waiting time. Providers can also access and update the records faster and easier than using paper charts.
– Care improvement: EHR systems can improve the quality and efficiency of care delivery by enabling faster time to treatment, better medication management, earlier and better diagnoses, and more coordinated care among different providers. EHRs can also support clinical decision making by providing alerts, reminders, guidelines, and evidence-based recommendations.
Disadvantages of EHR Systems
Some of the main disadvantages of EHR systems are:
– Time investment: EHR systems require a lot of time to choose and deploy. Providers need to determine their budget, decide which features they need, schedule product demos, negotiate with software vendors, and train their staff on how to use the system. This can take months or even years before the system is fully operational and functional.
– Cost burden: EHR systems entail high upfront acquisition costs, ongoing maintenance costs, and potential hidden costs. Providers need to purchase hardware, software, licenses, updates, security measures, backup systems, and technical support for their EHR system. They may also incur costs from workflow disruptions, productivity losses, staff turnover, or legal issues that arise from using the system.
– Data privacy: EHR systems pose a risk of data breaches or unauthorized access by hackers, employees, or third parties. This can compromise the confidentiality and security of patient information and expose providers to legal liabilities or reputational damages. Providers need to ensure that their EHR system complies with the relevant laws and regulations regarding data protection and privacy.
– User dissatisfaction: EHR systems can cause user dissatisfaction or frustration among providers or patients due to various reasons. Providers may experience increased workload, reduced autonomy, altered workflows, technical glitches, usability issues, or poor interoperability with other systems. Patients may experience reduced face-to-face interaction, lack of trust, or difficulty in accessing or understanding their records.
Conclusion
EHR systems are powerful tools that can enhance healthcare delivery and quality for independent practices. However, they also come with some challenges and drawbacks that need to be weighed carefully before adopting them. Providers should consider their needs, goals, resources, and preferences when choosing an EHR system that suits them best.
Works Cited
– Kumar R. Top Advantages and Disadvantages of EHRs – Software Advice. Software Advice; 2021 Mar 18 [cited 2022 Jan 8]. Available from: https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/ehr-advantages-disadvantages/
– Gaille L. 12 Advantages and Disadvantages of Electronic Health Records – Vittana.org. Vittana.org; 2017 Oct 6 [cited 2022 Jan 8]. Available from: https://vittana.org/12-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-electronic-health-records
– Menachemi N., Collum TH. Benefits and drawbacks of electronic health record systems. Risk Manag Healthc Policy; 2011 May 11 [cited 2022 Jan 8];4:47-55. Available from: https://www.dovepress.com/benefits-and-drawbacks-of-electronic-health-record-systems-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-RMHP
