Electronic+Health+Records

=Electronic Health Records done by AbdelAziz=

How Normal Paper methods are being replaced by technology in hospitals.
 * What IS an EHR?**

EHR stands for Electronic Health Record. Basically it is an example of a paper record which is placed in electronic format.

__**From This**__:


 * __To This:__** [[image:interface.jpg width="354" height="268"]]


 * How it works.**
 * With just a computer and access to the internet the doctor is able to retrieve patient's data and use it anywhere at any time.
 * The computer coordinates stores and retrieves the personal records.
 * Some databases of the records consist of many data servers located all over the world; some are only accessible by the Local Area Network.
 * Advantages and Disadvantages**
 * Advantages**
 * Takes up much less physical space
 * Searches take up less time and so gives the doctors and nurses more time for work
 * Lest chance of records getting lost.
 * If a network is implemented, then the records can be accessed at many different locations from “workstations”.
 * Disadvantages**
 * Can be expensive to set up and maintain.
 * Training is necessary for the nurses and doctors to know how to use it.
 * Can take a large amount of time to turn the old paper records into electronic format.
 * Copies of records can be easily made and taken from unattended workstations.

__**This is a video about the Disadvantage of time needed to turn paper records to Electronic Records. media type="youtube" key="mtLi6vmJ4fo" height="385" width="640"**__

__**This is a video about the Facts of Electronic Health Care**__

FACTS** In the United States, 35.4% of hospital staff did not see any enthusiasm from the staff as far as EHR implementation. Spurred by federal stimulus dollars, IDC predicts that 77 million Americans, or 25 percent of the population, will have electronic health records [at the end of 2010] compared with about 14 percent as 2009.
 * media type="youtube" key="AEh6LStxY-I" height="385" width="640"


 * Social and Ethical Issues:**
 * Security
 * Privacy
 * Equality of Access
 * Policies and Standards
 * Authenticity


 * Privacy of Electronic Records:**

Many people argue that these records offer less privacy as they can be easily copied and can be hacked, As opposed to the Files which need to be physically removed from the hospital

__**This is an excellent video for showing how useful Electronic Health Records are in Hospitals today.

media type="youtube" key="OeaksbGMp8Y" height="385" width="640"**__.


 * __The following is an interview with an IMC employee in order about Electronic Health Records.__**

//__Interview with IMC employee:__// //__Q)__// __**So how exactly do the health records work?**__ //__A)__// When a new patient enters the IMC hospital, he fills out a form where he writes all his details, such as his name, birthday, and other important details. After he fills out this form a nurse or worker takes the form and creates a record for the said person in the IMC database, it is basically a folder in the servers made specifically for the person. Afterwards all of the x-rays, test results or any other important medical pieces of information related to the person are placed in this folder, and can be accessed by any medical staff with high enough clearance. Along with the medical pieces of information in the folder there is a digital copy of the form the patient had filled out previously so that the doctors can learn more about the patient, and also so the patient will not have to fill out the forms again if they return. This is what is commonly known as the “electronic health record” or EHR for short. Also when the patient leaves his records are updated to include his stay and diagnosis. //__Q)__// __**Is there a way to distinguish between two people with similar information, such as the same name and birthday?**__ //__A)__// Of course every patient is given an ID number which distinguishes them from any other patient in the IMC database, when the orderly or doctor type in the ID number the electronic health record related to that ID number pops up with the information and a photo, the person can then confirm if the IDnumber is for that patient. This can be done from any computer in the IMC network as long as it is a valid ID number and the person checking the ID has a high enough security access. Also when the records are created we offer to give the patient a card which contains the ID number so that in case of an emergency the card can be swiped and the information will immediately pop up as instructed. //__Q)__// __**You mentioned Security before, so how exactly does the security protocol work in the IMC?**__ //__A)__// Not anyone at the IMC can access patient records they need to have a security clearance high enough to access records; this is to prevent anyone from accessing patient records and breaking the doctor- patient privacy confidentiality also an even higher security clearance is required to copy records from one device to another so that the records never leave the IMC unless it is an emergency, also the IMC servers keep track of all exchanges that occur on the network so that if anything which breaks protocol occurs we can trace who broke the rules. Also in the situation hackers or viruses try to break into the servers the IMC have firewalls and programmers to maintain and track hackers back to their location. //__Q)__// __**Any final thoughts or comments?**__ //__A)__// Yes, I personally believe that the electronic record method is much more efficient and effective then the previous paper method it has allowed for more space in the hospital as the digital records take less space and also allow for a faster method of finding and updating records. Of course these changes come with a price, staffs need to be trained; maintence needs to be carried out and of course the cost of the equipment needs to be taken into account however in the end I think the positive effects are more important than the costs.

media type="youtube" key="8DNfMIZe97c" height="385" width="640"

Ethical issues of Electronic Health Records Growth Rate..
 * __The following is a BBC article about Health Records and its Faults__**.