Clinical Systems to Improve Outcomes and Efficiencies
Application of new and existing technologies in clinical care yields numerous benefits. These clinical systems serve a fundamental role in uplifting the global healthcare system. Notable technological advancements in healthcare include electronic health records, advanced robotics and nanotechnology, electronic physician orders (CPOE), clinical decision support (CDS), and E-prescribing, among others (Alotaibi & Federico, 2017). The utilization of health information technology has been proven to improve patient outcomes, safety, and quality of care. Electronic health records are the type of clinical system identified for this assignment. The paper annotates five peer-reviewed research articles focusing on applying electronic health records in clinical care to enhance efficiencies and outcomes.Clinical Systems to Improve Outcomes and Efficiencies
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Article 1
Bowles, K. H., Dykes, P., & Demiris, G. (2015). The use of health information technology to improve care and outcomes for older adults. Research in Gerontological Nursing, 8(1), 5-10. https://doi.org/10.3928/19404921-20121222-01
In this study, Bowles et al. (2015) assert that health information technology (HIT) significantly improves older adults’ care results. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, together with the IOM report, called for the execution of electronic health records in all healthcare settings to heighten safety, quality, and care competence. The authors revealed that effective integration of electronic health records into clinical care is linked to a 13 percent reduction in the rates of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. Electronic health records implementation also improves efficiencies in other organizational aspects such as cooperation, teamwork, and understanding leadership. When caring for older adults, electronic health records improve efficiencies by streamlining the process of symptom management, improving decision support within nurses caring for patients, supports clinical decision making for subtle issues such as advance care planning, and promotes adherence.
According to this study’s findings, electronic health records significantly improve patient safety. With electronic medical records, nurses communicate with other professionals or external factors impacting patient care, such as falls. As a result, this approach reduces the incidence of medical errors and promotes nurses’ cooperation to heighten patient safety and the quality of delivered care. Electronic health records allow the implementation of individualized care and treatment plans.
This study provides evidence that the application of electronic health records in caring for older persons improves patient safety, streamlines workflow, and facilitates clinical decision-making, allowing nurses to work together to enhance patient outcomes.
Article 2
Kruse, C. S., Stein, A., Thomas, H., & Kaur, H. (2018). The use of electronic health records to support population health: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Medical Systems, 42(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-018-1075-6
In this study, the authors investigate how electronic health records improve population health. Electronic health records are essential components of health information technology that improve the quality and efficiency of care. However, electronic health records have also shown interoperability, loss of functionality, and increased errors if not appropriately used. Kruse et al. (2018) highlight that incorporating electronic health records in care strategies as well as surveillance can significantly improve population health.
The article reveals that electronic health records improve population health by enhancing observation of infectious diseases, improving patients’ supervision with chronic infections, and identifying individuals and communities at a higher risk of infections. With the recent shifts in healthcare, such as the Affordable Care Act, there has been improved attention on preventive care to improve population health. The authors reveal that electronic health records promote care coordination and patient-centered care. In the ICU, electronic health implementation reduces the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections and surgical intensive care unit mortality rates. Further, electronic health records facilitate safe access to patient information, ultimately leading to optimistic outcomes in patient care productivity and quality. Electronic health records also minimize data fragmentation and improve care continuity between providers by facilitating patient information exchange between providers.
From this study, the reader can note that the researchers have provided enough evidence linking electronic health records to numerous positive outcomes.Clinical Systems to Improve Outcomes and Efficiencies
Article 3
Manca, D. P. (2015). Do electronic medical records improve the quality of care?: Yes. Canadian Family Physician, 61(10), 846.
Manca (2015) points out that electronic health records positively impact patient care and streamlines physician operations. Electronic health records have significantly transformed the face of healthcare in several ways. Based on this article’s findings, the implementation of electronic health records provides healthcare professionals with information in a format that was not available in paper charts. Electronic health records structure patient data in a way that informs nursing practice and medical research. With meaningful use, data contained in electronic medical records offer physicians with practice-level information.
This study also highlights that electronic health records enhance relationships between physicians, nurses, and patients. They facilitate requests and information exchanges between relevant personnel to improve safety and patient care. Additionally, the author points out that electronic health records streamline physicians’ and nurses’ workflow. Although the implementation of electronic health records can initially contribute to the feelings of increased time requirements, they enable clinicians to interact with a large number of patients efficiently as they spend less time on patient charts. The study by Manca (2015) concludes that the benefits of electronic health records outweigh the drawbacks. These clinical systems’ positive impact will increase as more health organizations continue to integrate electronic health systems into their daily routine.
Article 4
Atasoy, H., Greenwood, B. N., & McCullough, J. S. (2019). The digitization of patient care: A review of the effects of electronic health records on health care quality and utilization. Annual Review of Public Health, 40(1), 487-500. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-044206
In this study, Atasoy et al. (2019) highlight that electronic health records’ adoption has become universal in the past ten years. Previous research on their benefits has revealed that electronic health records have positive clinical benefits and financial implications. According to the findings of this study, electronic health records improve care quality in several ways. They enhance clinical decision support, communication between various care providers and facilitate patient information management. The authors also point out that medical errors minimize fragmentation across disparate care settings and providers. Notably, electronic health records are essential tools that coordinate the activities of providers. Enhanced patient care coordination decreases the likelihood of medical errors, prevent duplicate testing, and improve clinical decision making. Even in the absence of decision systems, electronic health records reduce prescription errors, especially those resulting from poor handwriting.Clinical Systems to Improve Outcomes and Efficiencies
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The article also describes that electronic health records are associated with reduced healthcare costs. Specifically, they reduce costs by automating existing patient processes, enhancing the management of medical processes, and facilitating communication between different members. In turn, this reduces the likelihood of preventable medical errors while minimizing the costs of treating errors. From the findings of this study, it is evident that electronic health records in clinical care improve patient outcomes and physician activities.
Article 5
Campanella, P., Lovato, E., Marone, C., Fallacara, L., Mancuso, A., Ricciardi, W., & Specchia, M. (2015). The impact of electronic health records on healthcare quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The European Journal Of Public Health, 26(1), 60-64. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckv122
The above authors conducted research intending to evaluate the effects of electronic health records on the quality of care. They thus conducted a meta-analysis and systemic review to determine how electronic health records impact patient care. The analysis findings provided evidence that electronic health records improve the quality of care, enhance time efficacy, improve compliance to guidelines, and minimize medication errors and other preventable adverse events. The study also revealed that electronic health records contribute to cost reduction, which is attributed to reduced cost of medical errors and unnecessary waste of resources. A notable discovery for this study was that electronic health records promote adherence to guidelines, which is critical in promoting patient safety and quality of care. In turn, it minimizes unsuitable clinical practice inconsistency and the utilization of insufficient therapies. Through this, electronic health records enhance patient outcomes and ground nurses and physicians in providing cost-effective patient-centered care.
According to the findings of this study, it is evident that the application of electronic health records into patient care improves patient outcomes, clinical decision making and has other benefits that exceed the reduction of hospital costs and improving patient satisfaction. When executed correctly in healthcare settings, electronic health records have immense benefits. Careful consideration should this be applied in their implementation.Clinical Systems to Improve Outcomes and Efficiencies
References
Alotaibi, Y., & Federico, F. (2017). The impact of health information technology on patient safety. Saudi Medical Journal, 38(12), 1173-1180. https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2017.12.20631
Atasoy, H., Greenwood, B. N., & McCullough, J. S. (2019). The digitization of patient care: A review of the effects of electronic health records on health care quality and utilization. Annual Review of Public Health, 40(1), 487-500. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-044206
Bowles, K. H., Dykes, P., & Demiris, G. (2015). The use of health information technology to improve care and outcomes for older adults. Research in Gerontological Nursing, 8(1), 5-10. https://doi.org/10.3928/19404921-20121222-01
Campanella, P., Lovato, E., Marone, C., Fallacara, L., Mancuso, A., Ricciardi, W., & Specchia, M. (2015). The impact of electronic health records on healthcare quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The European Journal Of Public Health, 26(1), 60-64. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckv122
Kruse, C. S., Stein, A., Thomas, H., & Kaur, H. (2018). The use of electronic health records to support population health: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Medical Systems, 42(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-018-1075-6
Manca, D. P. (2015). Do electronic medical records improve quality of care?: Yes. Canadian Family Physician, 61(10), 846.Clinical Systems to Improve Outcomes and Efficiencies