The Adoption of Electronic Health Information Systems

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, electronic health information systems are the next step in "the continued progress of healthcare that can strengthen the relationship between patients and clinicians."

History

• In previous years medical information was stored only on paper and in one location, usually a patient's primary care physician's office or health care facility. Recently, as technology has increased and become a larger part of the health care industry, many large and small health care providers have made the transition to electronic health information systems.

Significance

• The adoption of electronic health information systems has multiple benefits for patients, most significantly that of increased patient safety. Electronic health information systems reduce medical errors by improving the clarity and understanding of medical records. They also make health information more available to physicians and facilities when quick treatment is necessary.

Considerations

• Just as medical records on paper are subject to privacy violations, electronic health care records are as well. The difference is that with most electronic health information systems, any access to information can be traced. Electronic health information systems can also be backed up, or saved on multiple servers, to ensure that vital medical information--such as a patient's medical history, medications, immunizations, vital signs, and laboratory and radiology reports--is saved.