EHRs and Mobile Health: 5 Ways Doctors Can Keep Patients Safe
Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it), we now live in a tech-filled world that has made information easily accessible, and people can share information at lightning speed. In the medical field, electronic health records (EHR) have replaced paper records as a way to "modernize" the health care system.
Yes, perhaps EHRs have made it easy for doctors to communicate and people aren't left attempting to decipher poor handwriting, but that doesn't mean there aren't any issues or concerns. At the top of the list of concerns is patient safety.
How can doctors be more mindful of patients and keep quality care a priority in this era of mobile health?
1. Educate patients on the fact that there are flaws in technology. Patients are able to access their medical records now, and there could be instances when information is incorrect due to technical bugs or errors in design.
2. Document bugs and issues. If you do have any issues with the system, make sure to take note of them and share those problems with the IT team as soon as possible.
3. Communicate, communicate, communicate. If you're uncertain about information that is in a patient's record, ask someone who knows. Don't assume anything. If you have a gut feeling that something isn't right, do a little investigating and communicate your concerns with everyone involved.
4. Understand that there will be a learning curve. If you're unfamiliar with a new system, take your time to learn the ins and outs on how it works. Don't try to take short cuts or skip over processes. There are a variety of EHR training resources and tips available on the HealthIT.gov website.
5. Check, and double check. We are humans, and we do mistakes. You can prevent errors by double checking what you enter into the system. An example of such an error is a physician entering an order for 30 mg of oxycodone, but because he was in a hurry, the 30 mg turned into 50 mg.
EHR technology is still new for many medical professionals, so it's important to be patient with colleagues who are challenged or overwhelmed by the process. It's also good to take a step back every now and then and analyze whether or not the technology is helping or hindering workflow efficiency.
What are your thoughts about EHR systems and all of the different technology available today?
Yes, perhaps EHRs have made it easy for doctors to communicate and people aren't left attempting to decipher poor handwriting, but that doesn't mean there aren't any issues or concerns. At the top of the list of concerns is patient safety.
How can doctors be more mindful of patients and keep quality care a priority in this era of mobile health?
1. Educate patients on the fact that there are flaws in technology. Patients are able to access their medical records now, and there could be instances when information is incorrect due to technical bugs or errors in design.
2. Document bugs and issues. If you do have any issues with the system, make sure to take note of them and share those problems with the IT team as soon as possible.
3. Communicate, communicate, communicate. If you're uncertain about information that is in a patient's record, ask someone who knows. Don't assume anything. If you have a gut feeling that something isn't right, do a little investigating and communicate your concerns with everyone involved.
4. Understand that there will be a learning curve. If you're unfamiliar with a new system, take your time to learn the ins and outs on how it works. Don't try to take short cuts or skip over processes. There are a variety of EHR training resources and tips available on the HealthIT.gov website.
5. Check, and double check. We are humans, and we do mistakes. You can prevent errors by double checking what you enter into the system. An example of such an error is a physician entering an order for 30 mg of oxycodone, but because he was in a hurry, the 30 mg turned into 50 mg.
EHR technology is still new for many medical professionals, so it's important to be patient with colleagues who are challenged or overwhelmed by the process. It's also good to take a step back every now and then and analyze whether or not the technology is helping or hindering workflow efficiency.
What are your thoughts about EHR systems and all of the different technology available today?
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