The focus
of adoption of EHRs has centered on physicians because they are the gate keepers
to any widespread implementation and use; however, it is patients who should
be at the center of initiatives. How will patients want to interact and use
EHRs? What do patients know about EHRs? What would patients be able to and want
to add to the data already being gathered concerning EHR adoption? If the use personal health records (PHRs), how readily will they be able to integrate health information they have supplied into their doctor's EHR? The following
data includes patient input into the topic of adopting EHRs.
Registered users can access more information
regarding EHRs.
Patient
Focus |
Synopsis |
Registered User Only |
| EHRs |
This article, from AHIMA, features a physician who sought his patients'
input prior to purchasing an EHR. Not only did their input affect his EHR
decision type, but the placement and use of the EHR as well -- the workflow
of his office. |
Patient
Preferences Prod Purchase |
| Patients'
care may be adversely affected by missing information in as many as 220
million patient visits each year, according to a study published by the
Journal of the American Medical Association. EHRs can help to alleviate
the problem. |
Study
Finds Doctors with EHRs Have More Complete Patient Information |
| Although this is an article written by two German authors, it is worth
including because of their focus on a "new paradigm" of patient
centered care and allowing patients to access their health records via the
EHR. |
Patients
and EHRs - Tele Home Monitoring Reference Scenario |
| This article, published by AHIMA, describes a Boston healthcare system's
approach to providing patients access to their electronic health records
(EHRs) via Patient Gateway, a secure, Web-based portal and how HIPAA affects
what can be done. |
Implementing
Patient Access to Electronic Health Records Under HIPAA: Lessons Learned |
| Brian Baum would like 20 million people to create and manage their EHRs
on Duke University's Health Data Exchange because he says it will lead to the elimination of filling out the
same tedious paper forms at physicians' offices, allow more expeditious
treatment in the ED, etc. Baum also believes that "the ponderous discussions
about data standards, coding algorithms, and government funding will rapidly
be replaced by entrepreneurial IT investments and innovative new service
models that directly respond to consumer demand." He sees this as analogous
to the proliferation of bank ATMs. |
Manage
Our Own EHRs? |
| About 500 employed physicians of Evanston (Ill.) Northwestern Healthcare have offered patients a Web portal service enabling access to their medical
records and to communicate with physician practice staff. This article from
Health Data Management features the roll out of this patient centered initiative. |
Evanston
Unveils Patient Portal |
| Personal Health Records |
The personal health record (PHR)
is an electronic, universally available, lifelong resource of health information
needed by individuals to make health decisions. Individuals own and manage
the information in the PHR, which comes from healthcare providers and
the individual. The PHR is maintained in a secure and private environment,
with the individual determining rights of access. The PHR is separate
from and does not replace the legal record of any provider. This article
from AHIMA offers details concerning PHRs. |
The
Role of the Personal Health Record in the EHR
AHIMA |
| This Wall Street Journal article highlights a number of tools and services
available for consumers to create, store, and share their own medical records.
These range from emergency wallet cards that can be printed off the Web
to portable gadgets that store a family's entire medical history on a microchip
and cost less than a new iPod. A growing number of health plans are also
offering special Web sites with free medical record-keeping tools for members. |
Your Medical
History on a Microchip:
Having Key Data Ready in an Emergency |
| This article addresses the chip that the U.S. government is researching
that would be implanted under the skin of patients. Both the pro and con
of this approach are featured regarding this initiative. |
VeriChip:
Helpful Tracking Device or too "Big Brother"? |
| What Patients Care About |
Physicians and vendors encourage EHRs to improve
quality of patient care but this survey underscores the need for physicians
to use EHRs as only a tool -- one that will allow patients to have more
quality interactions with their physicians. |
Patient Reports
of Preventable Problems and Harms in Primary Health Care |
| The Institute for Healthcare Improvement is a not-for-profit organization
driving the improvement of health by advancing the quality and value of
health care. Founded in 1991 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, IHI
offers comprehensive products and services. This article on general patient
centered care includes guidelines that encourage patients to be involved
in the development of all health related changes (including EHRs) |
Patient Centered
Care
Institute for Healthcare Improvement |
