EHR Functions
The adoption of the EHR framework in most healthcare facilities has marked an essential point in the development of health support and the related services for citizens. The main function and uses of the EHR system and the data capture of the system can be summarized as the opportunity to manage data effectively and ensure that its transfer occurs seamlessly. Having to manage personal data and health records of thousands of patients, companies such as Practice Fusion must utilize a coherent record-keeping system that provides a chance for quick search and accurate information transfer. In turn, the EHR framework offers the described opportunity.
Therefore, the EHR framework offers multiple benefits for healthcare organizations on several levels. As the Practice Fusion case has shown, on the level of individual practice, the EHR system allows accurate documenting and management of patients’ cases. In a large practice group, the application of EHR provides an opportunity to keep the records consistent and prevents data confusion from occurring. In a hospital, EHR contributes to effective cross-disciplinary collaboration among healthcare experts (“Practice Fusion,” 2016). Finally, for an integrated healthcare plan, the EHR framework allows for high levels of interoperability within the system (Beck, 2014). As a result, the quality of care increases.
EHR System Adoption: Incentives
Due to the differences in its application in various contexts, the EHR framework may require the adoption of different incentives to encourage experts to apply it to the contexts in question. For example, in the individual patient-practitioner environment, the rationale behind the adoption of the EHR tool is rooted primarily in the necessity to arrange the key information so that the health issue could be identified promptly. Moreover, as a healthcare practitioner, one is likely to delve into the medical history of a patient, identifying past concerns that may have affected the current health issue. Tin turn, the EHR framework allows arranging the data in the way that offers an uninhibited access to information related to past health issues (Marr, 2015). Thus, the quality of care remains appropriately high due to the close focus on the patient’s medical history and the analysis thereof.
Similarly, the application of EHR in large physician practice groups invites multiple opportunities, therefore, creating additional incentives for including it into the range of strategies for addressing patients’ needs. Namely, the opportunity for coordinating the healthcare staff’s performance and managing data transfer more productively becomes apparent with the integration of the EHR system into the target setting. Specifically, opportunities for connection and active discussions of the relevant concerns becomes possible (“Practice Fusion,” 2016). Similarly, in private hospitals, the integration of EHR leads to a noticeable drop in costs associated with keeping all healthcare staff members informed since the EHR system allows keeping all healthcare experts working in the facility updated on changes in the management of patients’ needs.
A similar incentive can be used to promote the EHR framework in large private hospitals. Moreover, apart from a more cost-efficient approach for the management of patients’ data, one should mention the chance to minimize the threat of errors in administering the treatment or diagnosing a health issue in the target population (Palma, 2015). For private hospitals, the significance of EHR is particularly high due to the option for systematizing the obtained data that EHR provides (Beck, 2014). For academic hospitals, EHR as the source of accurate data provides solid grounds for evidence-based research, therefore, advancing the study of multiple health-related issues (Beck, 2014). Finally, for integrated healthcare systems, EHR facilitates homogeneity of healthcare strategies and patient equity (O’Connor, 2013). Therefore, EHR needs to be included into every healthcare setting possible.
Interoperability of EHR Systems
However, the EHR framework also has certain limitations that must be accounted for when implementing it. For instance, up until 2014, the EHR system has had substantially limited interoperability due to the underdeveloped technological framework for communication (“Practice Fusion,” 2016). With the introduction of advanced technological solutions, interoperability has increased, which has benefitted healthcare practitioners and patients (Marr, 2015). However, the enhancement of interoperability has also led to increased costs, causing multiple healthcare administrators significant concerns.
Practice Fusion: Key Focus
In hindsight, Hoard could have implemented the launch of Practice Fusion more effectively by introducing a slightly different approach. Namely, he should have focused on selling key information to large physician groups. The proposed strategy would have allowed institutionalizing the system and allowing the framework to percolate into the area of individual practice.
Monetization
Data business monetization remains one of the core concerns for healthcare organizations. For Private Fusion, the described change cab be implemented by considering different media types. Specifically, charging fee for the monthly use of the platform can be considered a reasonable solution (Marr, 2015). Moreover, Private Fusion data can be used for improving healthcare services, forecasting changes in the healthcare market, and promoting the idea of innovative thinking as the basis for the company’s strategic model.
Continuing Rapid Growth
In order to continue its growth, Practice Fusion should expand to embrace larger organizations and groups of experts. Additionally, the acquisition of Ringadoc should be examined as a potentially lucrative opportunity since it has proven to be important in the triage process and the further information management. The acquisition of Ringadoc will contribute to the implementation of Practice Fusion’ innovative approach toward data management with its focus on information sharing. Furthermore, it could be suggested that Practice Fusion should build an improved communication channel for the consistent dialogue with its target audiences. Thus, the organization will be aware of the key changes in the demand and adjust its services accordingly.
References
Beck, M. (2014). AMA urges overhaul of electronic medical records. Wall Street Journal. Web.
Marr, B. (2015). “How Big Data is changing healthcare.” Forbes. Web.
O’Connor, F. (2013). Health-IT early adopters well-poised for big-data advances in clinical medicine. Network World, 14-15. Web.
Palma, G. (2015). Electronic health records: The good, the bad and the ugly. Becker’s Health IT and CIO Review. Web.
Practice Fusion. (2016). Stanford Business Graduate School.