Using the same environment from Module 4, in a paper (750-1,000 words), review the current state of the infrastructure and focus on a specific area: security, data management, connectivity, etc., and make suggestions for future improvements. Papers must address the following:

1. Clearly describe current infrastructure, workflow, and processes.

2. Identify the existing gaps and issues within the environment.

3. Provide solutions for improvement associated to the gaps identified - zero cost and unlimited budget.

4. Recognize current technology that can change health care infrastructure.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.

Module 4

EHR/Patient Portal
Name
Institution

EHR/Patient Portal

Medical facilities are increasingly adopting electronic health records (EHR) systems that are connected to patients' portals. In this case, a patient portal is defined as a provider-tethered application that allows patients to gain electronic access to their health care information. The increased adoption is because the medical facilities understand that these systems will enable the delivery of better quality services. In addition, the Health Information and Technology for Economics and Clinical Health Act of 2009 offers them financial incentives for implementing EHR systems. Despite this set of circumstance, the adoption of EHR/patient portal systems is approached with a lot of reserve (McCarthy, Schafermeyer & Plake, 2012). This paper will examine the opportunities and challenges associated with the implementation of EHR/patient portal.

Typically, the EHR system implementation will serve two purposes in ensuring meaningful use. The first purpose will be to guarantee that patients have access to a copy of their health information at the end of the visit to the facility or when they request a copy. The second purpose will be to guarantee that patients are able to access the information through the patient portal, disseminate, and even download it with the intention of passing it on to their health care provider. The patient portal facilitates the two purposes by enabling communication between the providers and patients. Some of the information that can be disseminated using the EHR through the patient portal will include referral data, laboratory results, lists of medication, upcoming appointments and so on (McCarthy, Schafermeyer & Plake, 2012).
Prior to the development and implementation of EHR/patient portal systems, patient records management systems involved fragmented data management. The fragmentation entailed every department dealing with the patients developing their unique set of patient records that often overlapped. In essence, users had to switch between applications in order to obtain much-needed information. This state of affairs created risky situations that placed the patients' health at risk since it created the potential for medical errors (Wetter, 2015). For instance, a patient who is referred to another facility is likely to be discharged without all the necessary information due to problems with navigating the information system and locating the necessary information. That omission of information is likely to result in serious health complications for the patient suffering a chronic ailment since he or she could be over-treated or under-treated. Not to mention, there is the likelihood of serious complications developing because of some of the prescribed medication missing from the reconciled list thereby hindering follow-up and monitoring efforts (Wetter, 2015).

Implementing an EHR/patient portal system takes care of the mentioned problems by automatically updating the patient records and availing them to help in improving healthcare continuity. In fact, it allows the patient and care provider to communicate more efficiently to avoid adverse care outcomes and eliminate unnecessary visits (Al-Abuydli, 2011). For instance, a patient does not remember the medication list, rather the EHR/patient portal system shows the medication to be taken, and when it is to be taken. In addition, the EHR/patient portal system applies a computerized telephone system that is completely integrated with the patient scheduling package, thereby allowing patients to use their medical record numbers to make appointments that fit with their schedules without having to visit the medical facility. Alternatively, the patients can use computer access that is fully integrated with the scheduling package (rather than the integrated telephone system) to show the patients the available appointment slots and allow them choose the appointments that best fit their needs. Besides that, the system could have interfaced enhancements to allow patients connect with other patients and support groups in their area (Al-Abuydli, 2011).

Despite the mentioned opportunities for EHR/patient portal systems, they also present some challenges in their implementation and use. Firstly, there are security concerns with the potential for unauthorized information access and users authentication. This challenge will be addressed by authenticating access, having strong passwords, requesting multifactor authentication for greater information access, developing policies for consecutive failed login attempts, and enabling password reset. Secondly, the principal resources for the system consist of human factors which include patients and medical personnel as users, and computer networks and technologies. These resources are very expensive and may halt the system application. This challenge will be overcome by soliciting for funds from partners and justifying all expenditures (McCarthy, Schafermeyer & Plake, 2012; Wetter, 2015). Thirdly, the HIPAA omnibus rule, HI Technology Act, is likely to present a problem since it calls for patients to have access to all their information without exception, yet there is some information that allowing the patient to access is likely to have a harmful effect on them. For instance, allowing a parent to access a teenage child's health information could have a detrimental effect. This challenge will be addressed by setting exceptions that prevent access to the more sensitive health information (Department of Health & Human Services, 2015).

One must accept that as EHR/patient portal systems are being increasingly used by a variety of medical facilities to produce significant changes in patient care. Before the implementation of these systems, patients care presented a lot off risks that reduced care quality and hindered time management. Still, the system presents security, cost, and information exception challenges. As such, EHR/patient portal systems are a valuable asset for the patient to communicate with the medical facility to facilitate care outcomes, save time, and reduce errors.