The use of electronic health records (EHRs) in managed care settings is a complex issue that raises many questions. One the one hand, by giving physicians quick and simple access to patient information, EHRs have the potential to increase the effectiveness and quality of healthcare. However, if EHRs encumber rather than support clinicians and hinder rather than promote health outcome improvements, they may not be worth the investment.
The computerization of medical records has the potential to assist patients by lowering medication mistakes, enhancing physician-patient contact, and enhancing population health management. Additionally, it can raise the standard of care by giving doctors immediate access to patient information that can help them make better treatment decisions, identify patients who are at risk, and maintain continuity of care (Yadav et al., 2018). However, the potential benefits of EHRs must be weighed against the potential risks and liabilities for managed care providers. One of the main risks is the potential for data breaches and the loss of patient confidentiality (Baumann et al., 2018). Another risk is the potential for errors and inaccuracies in the EHRs, which can lead to incorrect diagnoses and treatments. With regards to regulation, electronic health systems as distinct from health records are currently unregulated (Yadav et al., 2018). However, some argue that regulation is necessary to ensure quality control and protect patients from potential risks and liabilities. It could help to establish standards for the implementation and use of EHRs and provide oversight to ensure that systems are functioning as intended.
In conclusion, EHRs have the ability to create many issues and concerns while also raising the quality and efficiency of healthcare. Potential benefits of computerization of health records are only enough if they are evaluated against managed care providers’ possible risks and responsibilities. In order to assure quality control and safeguard patients from potential hazards and liabilities, it is crucial to analyze whether the prospective benefits outweigh the costs.
References
Baumann, L. A., Baker, J., & Elshaug, A. G. (2018). The impact of electronic health record systems on clinical documentation times: A systematic review. Health Policy, 122(8), 827-836. Web.
Yadav, P., Steinbach, M., Kumar, V., & Simon, G. (2018). Mining electronic health records (EHRs) A survey. ACM Computing Surveys (CSUR), 50(6), 1-40. Web.