Introduction
A substantial number of studies have shown that EMR-based data in the surveillance of diabetes has increased the information available for making policies and strategies required to cope with the rosining prevalence of the disease. Canada has spent billions of dollars on the use of EHRs.
Implications of using EHRs in surveillance of diabetes and hypertension in Canada
Diabetes Surveillance
A substantial number of studies have shown that EMR-based data in the surveillance of diabetes has increased the volume and quality of information on the disease. This has made it possible to develop effective policies and strategies required to cope with the rosining prevalence of the disease (Stirling et al., 2001).
Hypertension Surveillance
Similarly, the use of EHRs in the surveillance of hypertension in Canada has enhanced the volume and accuracy of the available statistical information regarding hypertension epidemiology (Foldy, et al., 2011).
Description of surveillance systems for hypertension and diabetes in Canada
Diabetes Surveillance
The national diabetes surveillance system (NDSS) is mandated to carry out surveillance of diabetes. The Public Health Agency of Canada supports the system.
Hypertension Surveillance System
CCDSS is responsible for the surveillance of hypertension. As noted above, it operates under the Public Health Agency (PHAC) as a collaboration of provincial and territorial health databases. The system used health administrative databases in provinces and territories to track the problem, including information on physical billing, hospitalization, and registry of residents (Health Canada, 2003).
The use of EHRs in diabetes and hypertension surveillance
Similarities
In the surveillance of diabetes, NDSS is the active body responsible for the work. In contrast, the umbrella body (CCDSS) is involved in the surveillance of hypertension. Both systems have adopted EHRs to obtain, retrieve, store, analyze and share information about the disease (Morton et al., 2001). In addition, both systems have collaborated with provincial and territorial levels of healthcare to ensure that they implement EHRs in all hospitals. The aim is to enhance communication and data sharing (Office of the Auditor General of Canada, 2010).
Differences
NDSS uses EMR-based EHRs while the surveillance of hypertension is based on the general EHRs systems. EMR is one of the most effective varieties of EHRs and is increasingly becoming a major technique for data handling in the healthcare industry.
Potential challenges and opportunities of using EHRs in the US
Like Canada, the US is set to gain from an enhanced system of obtaining, retrieving, storing, sharing and tracking data on hypertension and diabetes. The use of the EHRs systems in the USA has the potential to provide the federal and state health systems with a collaborative and consistent method of managing disease due to the enhanced knowledge created by EHRs.
Analysis
As noted above, the US is likely to face two categories of challenges when implementing EHRs in its healthcare system. The financial strains include the cost of the system, implementation, maintenance and training the personnel. The second category involves the perceptions, attitudes and responses of the healthcare workers. It is expected that the new system will meet diverse attitudes, responses and perceptions, which will affect the degree of effectiveness of the system once implemented.
Recommendations
Despite the challenges mentioned above, it is recommended that the US adopt similar EHRs systems and system use as those used in Canada. To solve the above challenges, the policymakers in the US healthcare system must develop a comprehensive understanding of the system and carry out pilot studies. The Canadian example will prove effective in developing a successful implementation of the new system. Secondly, training should be done in advance to ensure that the new system does not meet negative attitudes and perceptions.
Conclusion
EHRs provide an opportunity for the federal healthcare system to improve the knowledge of the prevalence, incidents and new cases of diseases. Once implemented, the system will ensure that the appropriate measures, initiatives, and policies are developed to cope with the rising cases of chronic diseases (Lombardo & Buckeridge, 2007).
References
Foldy, S., Lamberts, R., Davies, J. J., Zimmerman, A., & Mostashari, F. (2011). Electronic Health Records: What’s in it for everyone? Atlanta, GA: CDC.
Health Canada. (2003). Chronic disease surveillance in Canada: A background paper. Ottawa, ON: Health Canada.
Lombardo, J. S., & Buckeridge, D. L. (Eds.). (2007). Disease surveillance: A public health informatics approach. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Interscience.
Morton, A. P., Whitby, M., McLaws, M. L., Dobson, A., McElwain, S., Looke, P., Stackelroth, J., & Sartor, A. (2001). The application of statistical process control charts to the detection and monitoring of hospital-acquired infections. Journal of Quality in Clinical Practice, 21(4), 112-117.
Office of the Auditor General of Canada. (2010). Electronic health records in Canada: An overview for federal and provincial audits. Ottawa, ON: Office of the Auditor General of Canada.
Stirling, R., Aramini, J., Ellis, A., Lim, G., Meyers, R., Fleury, M., & Werker, D. (2001). Waterborne Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak, North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Atlanta, GA: CDC.