The main goal of healthcare practice and nursing is to improve the health of patients (Cohen, 2009). Nurses and doctors should take patient safety seriously. The mission of any healthcare institution is to help nurses and caregivers find new strategies and evidence-based practices that can help them improve patient care and safety. That being the case, I chose to interview a Patient Safety-Risk Manager (PSRM) at a clinical facility that utilizes electronic health records. The purpose of the interview was to examine the correlation between “the use of electronic health records and medical errors”. The discussion below presents the questions used during the interview. The paper also presents a summary of the answers obtained from the interviewee.
Why is the issue of medical errors necessary today?
The respondent indicated that most medical errors tend to affect the quality of care or treatment provided to patients. Some of the common errors in medical practice include incomplete treatment, infection, or failure to provide adequate care to a patient. The issue of “medical errors” is necessary today because it keeps healthcare organizations sensitive about their nursing and medical practices. “Most of the advancements in healthcare practice results from such errors (Cohen, 2009)”. Any kind of medical error encourages researchers and caregivers to implement the best changes in order to avoid such mistakes in the future (Hebda & Czar, 2012). The interviewee also explained why healthcare organizations should analyze their practices in order to address any medical errors that might arise in the future. The respondent explained the need for healthcare organizations and nurses to avoid errors as much as possible. This is the best approach towards providing care to patients.
What measures can help reduce medical errors?
The interviewee explained why nurses and caregivers needed to consider the best measures to reduce medical errors. To begin with, the respondent encouraged nurses to report any medical error immediately to the relevant authorities (Cohen, 2009). Healthcare institutions should encourage nurses and doctors to use “Root Cause Analysis”. This approach can help nurses identify some of the potential sources of medical errors. As well, practitioners should always work hard to improve their practices. They should always follow the provided medical guidelines. Hospitals should use electronic health systems and records to ensure patients get the right care. The approach can help reduce most of the errors encountered in medical practices (Cohen, 2009). It is easier to review such electronic records thus reducing the possibility of a medical error. Healthcare institutions should always promote the best practices if they want to receive various accreditations.
How can the use of electronic health records improve or affect the quality of healthcare?
The interviewee explained how the use of electronic health records could help improve the quality of treatment and healthcare provided to patients. Healthcare organizations can find it easier to diagnose and record various diseases and conditions for different patients. It is easier to access such records thus providing the best care to the patients. “Nurses can use the health records to assign roles and determine who should receive what kind of treatment (Hebda & Czar, 2012)”. Electronic health records are also necessary because they ensure the patients get quality and immediate services and care from their physicians or caregivers. The interviewee explained why there is a need for healthcare organizations to embrace the use of such electronic health records.
How has the use of electronic health records helped reduce medical errors in the organization?
The interviewee was also confident that their organization had succeeded mainly because it was using electronic health records. With the use of the records, it was possible to access patients’ files, identify their conditions, and provide the best care. The records made it easier to assign roles to different caregivers and physicians. The approach was necessary because it helped improve the quality of care provided to different patients. As well, the interviewee explained how the organizations used electronic health records to make relevant decisions. The documents made it easier to identify and address any possible medical error. Most of the decisions made at the organizations made it possible to improve the quality of care provided to the patients (Williams & Samarth, 2010). The interviewee also explained how different nurses and doctors were happy after the introduction of the electronic record systems.
What is your recommendation to other hospitals and clinics?
The interviewee presented various ideas and recommendations to different clinics and healthcare organizations. To begin with, the respondent explained why it was necessary for healthcare institutions to embrace the use of electronic healthcare records. According to the interviewee, this could be the best approach towards improving the quality of care provided to patients. Electronic records increases efficiency thus improving the performance of a healthcare organization (Williams & Samarth, 2010). As well, the respondent encouraged leaders and caregivers to report any medical error to the relevant authorities. The approach can make it possible to provide quality care and treatment to patients. The interviewee also encouraged physicians and caregivers to work as teams and embrace the idea of “evidence-based” practice. Finally, the interviewee encouraged healthcare institutions to use electronic healthcare records to improve service delivery.
Reference List
Cohen, M. (2009). Medical Errors. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Hebda, T. & Czar, P. (2012). Handbook of Informatics for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Williams, T. & Samarth, A. (2010). Electronic Health Records for Dummies. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.