Nursing Sample Assignment

Question

For the last discussion of this course, please discuss your thoughts on the health policy topics covered this semester, and how you expect them to be relevant to your career as an advanced practice nurse. Identify which topic you found most intriguing and discuss the reasons why.

Answer

Benefits of Electronic Medical Records Systems

            Electronic medical records system (EMR) is a platform that stores an individual’s health-related records. The data is then used and overseen by approved medical practitioners and staff within a health care facility (Menachemi&Collum, 2011). This system has an invaluable potential to be of great importance to medical practitioners and the health facility at large with its innate capability to increase workflow while improving on the safety and quality of health care provided to patients. The legal framework for its use was signed into law in 2009 through the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, and it was a component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Its adoption has not been widespread in the U.S. Research shows that only 4% of doctors have used it while only 13% of facilities found to have a basic system (Menachemi, & Collum, 2011).

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            EMRs contain vital patient information, from demographics to recovery reports and even medication history. Therefore, its first and fundamental importance is its capacity to effectively automatepatient records, which eliminates misinterpretations associated with the poor handwriting among medical practitioners. EMRs promises many benefits, but the three that really stand-out includecomputerized order entry system for physicians, clinical decision support tools and health information exchange (Menachemi&Collum, 2011).

            First, in order to make more informed decisions about a patient, practitioners rely on the Clinic Decision Support (CDS) tool found on EMRs. It contains latest information on every individual patient pertaining to medication allergies or any other issues flagged in the system. Much of this information is important to help in the decision making process about medication of every patient therefore reducing the risks of medical errors. The ultimate goal being ensuring effective and safer medical care (Menachemi, &Collum, 2011).

            Secondly, through the Computerized Practitioner Order Entry (CPOE) System, doctors get to enter their orders and diagnosis in the system. This subsequently eliminates medical errors that may arise from poor handwriting. Since the systems are connected within a facility, there is improved efficiency and effectiveness of care by reducing the amount of time used in movement either for clarification or in conveying one diagnosis or order from one point to another (Menachemi,& Collum, 2011).

            Lastly, the Health Information Exchange (HIE) system ensures secure and confidential exchange of patient medical information between different organizations. The electronic connection between different healthcare facilities allow for real-time exchange of medical information about a patient thereby reducing ordering of redundant test carried out when a patient visits different facilities.

            In summary, EMRs assist advanced practice nurses to consolidate patient information gathered from different health facilities at one point. This makes it accessible to authorized medical practitioners during the process of providing effective care to a particular patient. These features make it more cost-effective, real-time less time-consuming.

References

Menachemi, N., & Collum, T. H. (2011). Benefits and drawbacks of electronic health record systems. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy4, 47–55.

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