Part 1:

EHR Proposal Summary

Imagine you are currently working at a doctor's office. You are approached by the office manager who asks you to develop an effective way of storing patient information.

Write a 350- to 700-word summary to your office manager informing him or her of the advantages of using electronic health records (EHRs) to store patient information. Be clear and concise, use complete sentences, and use examples to support your responses.

Include the following in your response:

• Discuss the functions and advantages of using EHRs.

• Discuss three to four forms used to keep patient information in EHRs.

• What is the purpose of each form?

Cite any outside sources. For additional information on how to properly cite your sources check out the Reference and Citation Generator resource in the Center for Writing Excellence.

Part 2:

Overview

A health record contains vital information about the patient, such as the patient's health and treatment history. This week,you will identify the different health care forms used to keep patient information in the electronic health record (EHR). Some forms are completed by the patient, such as consent and medical history forms, while others are completed by the healthcare provider. You also will learn about the basic workflow of a healthcare organization that uses an EHR. Mapping out the workflow in the healthcare office allows organizations to analyze the current process for patient care and helps identify ways to maximize efficiencies.

What you will cover

1. Electronic Health Records (EHR)

a. Discuss the functions health care records serve.

1) Track patient information
2) Assist health care providers in providing patient care

3) In hospital settings the data flows into the EHR from the different departments systems

a) Labatory
b) Radiology
c) Pharmacy
d) Surgery

b. Identify different health care forms use to keep patient information in EHRs.

1) Patient

a) Consent forms
b) Medical history

2) Health care provider

a) Doctor's notes
b) Outpatient forms
c) Lab forms
d) Insurance reimbursement forms
e) Discharge forms
f) Prescriptions
g) Referrals

c. Describe the basic workflow of a health care organization using EHRs.

1) The patient contacts health care provider and the appointment is scheduled

2) The patient arrives and is checked into the office

3) The demographic information is entered into the EHR

4) Insurance information is scanned into the EHR and insurance eligibility is confirmed

5) The patient completes a health history and current reason for the visit

6) The EHR specialist enters the data into the EHR for the medical staff to access during the visit

7) The patient is called to the exam room

8) The patient's vitals are taken and recorded into the EHR. The nurse reviews the history and chief complaint for accuracy.

9) The physician enters and reviews the EHR

10) The physician uses the SOAP format to record the visit: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan

11) Subjective: The physician discusses the current problem with the patient and documents the discussion in the EHR

12) Objective: The physician performs the physical examination

13) Assessment: The diagnosis is determined and problem list updated

14) Plan: The plan of treatment is determined. The physician prescribes medications, treatments, or additional tests using the EHR.

15) If lab work ordered, the orders is sent electronically lab

16) Patient education is provided on the current plan of treatment

17) The patient is checked out using the EHR to schedule follow-up appointments

18) If requested, the EHR specialist sends out requests for records from specialist or additional physicians that provide care to the patient