Using Electronic Health Records to Improve Patient Health Care

Abstract

Background: EHRs have the potential to improve patient healthcare by providing real-time access to patient information, improving communication between healthcare providers, and reducing medication errors. However, the evidence on the impact of EHRs on clinical outcomes is mixed. Objective: To review the literature on the impact of EHRs on clinical outcomes and to provide recommendations for improving the use of EHRs to improve patient healthcare. Methods: A literature review was conducted to identify studies on the impact of EHRs on clinical outcomes. The search was limited to English-language studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Results: The literature review found that EHRs have the potential to improve clinical outcomes, such as mortality, morbidity, hospital readmission rates, and bed utilization. EHRs can also help to reduce medication errors and improve patient safety. However, the impact of EHRs depends on a number of factors, such as the quality of the EHR system, the way it is implemented, and the training of healthcare providers. Recommendations: For improving the use of EHRs to improve patient healthcare include: Developing high-quality EHR systems that are easy to use and can integrate with other systems, Providing adequate training for healthcare providers on how to use EHRs effectively, Encouraging interoperability between EHR systems from different vendors, Addressing privacy and security concerns, Reducing user resistance to EHRs. Conclusion: EHRs have the potential to improve patient healthcare by providing real-time access to patient information, improving communication between healthcare providers, and reducing medication errors. However, the impact of EHRs depends on a number of factors, such as the quality of the EHR system, the way it is implemented, and the training of healthcare providers. By following the recommendations above, we can make EHRs a more effective tool for improving patient healthcare.