Sample Case

The future trend of managing Healthcare is to implement the Electronic Medical Record System throughout an organization. According to article published in the Institute of Health Freedom (2004), "It is estimated that currently only 10 to 20 percent of physicians use electronic medical records (EMRs). But this will soon change. President Bush recently announced plans for all Americans to have electronic medical records within the next ten years" (¶ 2).

What is the electronic medical record system? What are some of the challenges and barriers that the organization will have to face while implementing this system? How are these challenges and barriers going to be resolved? Once this system is implemented, will the organization achieve the expected outcomes?

An electronic medical record system is an electronic form of record keeping in a centralized repository that facilitates the integration of patient information, clinical data, medical facilities information and staffing data. This electronic system has the ability store to and share patient information in a systematic and organized manner, throughout the organization. Clinical data would reside in a large, well organized database. Information such as all orderables, best practice alerts, health maintenance alerts, documentation templates are just some of the basic information that will reside in this system. When documenting, the caregiver or provider has the capability of using readily available templates to document where most of the basic documentation is provided for them. One of the more important aspects of this unique system is that it allows different medical facilities and departments within the organization to share information. It allows the routing of patient data from one medical center to another and also from one department to another. This allows important data such as medical history, medication history, lab and radiology results to be shared among caregivers within the organization. This highly sophisticated system would also allow different medical facilities within the organization to view and control their staffing and bed availability.

In the paragraph above we defined and explained the electronic medical record system. Now, let us discuss the benefits of implementing this system. Why would an organization want to implement this massive system? The benefits are many. First, this system would enable sharing and storing of patient data an easier and an efficient process. Data will be current and readily available. Secondly, this data is rarely lost as there is a standardized and organized method of storing and backing up all patient information. Thirdly, errors are less likely to occur when providing patient care since this system requires typing and selecting information from a table or list already created and validated. More importantly, all the clinical data in the system has to meet regulatory requirements. Another benefit of this system is its functionality to keep an automated audit trail for every user activity which may be necessary for legal purposes. Scope of practice is a term of importance in a Healthcare organization and the Electronic Medical Record system allows the organization to re-enforce this practice by utilizing strict security when accessing patient information. This is one of the major positive aspects of utilizing this system. Another reason that benefits the organization and the providers of this system, is its capability to track and obtain critical statistical data and to perform trend analysis, for example: graphical data and statistical data can be easily accessed if a provider wants to determine whether a particular, prescribed blood pressure medication is helping a patient with high blood pressure when given over the past six months. Lastly, this system would help cut costs and increase revenue in the organization in many ways, one of which is simply by decreasing paper usage and automating the billing system.

The benefits of implementing the electronic medical record system are many as we discussed above, but the organization would also have to face many barriers and challenges when making this dramatic change. First is the fear of change. Many people are afraid of the unknown. Usually, when new ideas are introduced, it brings out a fear in most people. They are faced with questions like: Will I be able to learn this? Is it going to be difficult to learn? What will happen if I cannot learn this? People are also afraid of others viewing them as incompetent.

Different generations have varying skills. Age can play a role in learning new technologies. The older generation may have limited use of computers in comparison to the younger generation and therefore, may have difficult time grasping new ideas such as use of new technology.

With demanding schedules and having to attend other required ongoing medical education, providers may not have time to attend training related to new technology.

In order to learn something new one has to be motivated. By pointing out the benefits of new technology, providers may feel motivated and adapt to new ways. The benefits of modernization should be clearly defined and explained to motivate. It's also helpful when the peers try to be helpful and push for the new ways for example: A provider to provider training sessions and provider organized support groups.

At first glance providers may feel that the introduction of new ways to doing things may mean doing more work for themselves. However this may not be true; it may be the opposite. New technology is meant to reduce tedious, repetitive work and to reduce errors.

Many disabilities may act as barriers to learning such as arthritis, neck and back problems, carpal tunnel syndrome or vision and hearing problems.

In the above paragraphs, the electronic medical record was defined, many of the benefits were identified and some of the barriers and challenges were discussed. To resolve these challenges and barriers, the healthcare organization may have to start by understanding the adult learner. According to a study conducted by Steven Lieb (1998), Lieb emphasizes part of being an effective instructor involves understanding how adults learn best. Some of the characteristics