Impact of Electronic Health Record on Patient Care and Efficiency

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisor, ___________________ without whose support, guidance and constant feedback this dissertation, would not have been possible. You have been amazing me throughout this endeavour. It was because of you that I managed to meet all deadlines and have been able to submit my thesis on time. You are an inspiration, not only as a mentor but also as a person. I have leant many valuable things from you that will remain with me for the rest of my life. I had no idea what research means before i took up this dissertation with you. My highest regards to the research participants for taking out time from their busy schedules to answer my questions and increase my knowledge of the subject. I would also like to thank my family and friends for being so supportive.

DECLARATION

In this dissertation, I declare that the work presented is my own compilation and creation. I have not taken anything which is not referenced. This dissertation has not been submitted anywhere in the past for academic or any other purpose. This thesis is the combination of research findings, literature review and my own views on the impact of Electronic Health Record System on patient care and efficiency.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

The Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a longitudinal electronic record of patient health information generated by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting (NIH NCRR, 2006). It has the ability to create individual case record for patients with detailed health information. It allows for capture and retention of electronic record. Despite its popular capabilities, several studies have failed to provide convincing evidence that the adoption of EHRs as they are routinely used is associated with improved quality of care (Linder et al. 2007). It has become evident that simply adopting the basics of EHR is no guarantee to quality improvement in healthcare. Recent survey shows that clinicians did not use all the key functions of the EHR systems necessary for improved safety and quality of ambulatory care. These findings underscore the fact that simply assessing EHR adoption is not sufficient for understanding the potential impact of EHRs on medical practice (Simon et al., 2009). This study focused on exploring the role EHR implementation in improving the quality of care by analyzing patient satisfaction data, clinicians' views and identifying control factors for its success. EHR implementation without significant change in the healthcare delivery process is like putting a new wine in an old skin bottle. It was found that EHR was associated with a sound medical practice, given the fact that it can be accounted for a rapid service, convenience and smooth activities for the organizations. EHR implementation is thus, taken as the need of medical practices in modern times.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTI

DECLARATIONII

ABSTRACT1

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION4

Problem Statement6

Aims and Objectives6

Rationale of Study7

Research Questions8

Ethical Concerns of Research8

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW11

Electronic Health Record Systems (EHRs)11

EHR Scope13

Historical Trends in Medical History14

Issues ...