Patients get health care in various settings such as hospitals, medical offices, laboratories, nursing homes, emergency departments, diagnostic centers etc. Through the use of electronic records, the health information of a patient can be combined from various sources into one single comprehensive record. Patients feel a sense of dignity and recognition when providers have the opportunity to review their information and discuss their health and treatment plans. Without a single record that can be accessed by multiple users, patient have to answer the same question over and over again and feel that the care is more impersonal.
The engagement of the patient and the family enables the sharing of patients’ medical information, which is necessary for coordinating care among multiple providers who care for the patient. When patients with are provided with copies of their health information and clinical summaries, they can share the information with their other healthcare providers via hard copies or by allowing providers access to their health information via a PHR or patient portal. Allowing patients easy access to their health records also may also reduce medical errors, as patients can monitor their own health records and report any mistakes.
Since the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its report To Err is Human, patient safety has come to the forefront. Care is meant to be safe, timely, efficient, equitable, effective, and patient-centered. Electronic records allow providers to use a common language such as SNOMED CT so that patients can be safer without the communication gaps between providers.
An example of coordination of care is the Blue Button Initiative. According to Healthit.gov, "the Blue Button lets you go online and download your health records so you can use them to improve your health, have more control over your personal health information and your family’s healthcare. You have a legal right to receive your personal health information."
Many patients or family members have experienced the benefits of have information electronically available whenver and wherever it is needed.
The engagement of the patient and the family enables the sharing of patients’ medical information, which is necessary for coordinating care among multiple providers who care for the patient. When patients with are provided with copies of their health information and clinical summaries, they can share the information with their other healthcare providers via hard copies or by allowing providers access to their health information via a PHR or patient portal. Allowing patients easy access to their health records also may also reduce medical errors, as patients can monitor their own health records and report any mistakes.
Since the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its report To Err is Human, patient safety has come to the forefront. Care is meant to be safe, timely, efficient, equitable, effective, and patient-centered. Electronic records allow providers to use a common language such as SNOMED CT so that patients can be safer without the communication gaps between providers.
An example of coordination of care is the Blue Button Initiative. According to Healthit.gov, "the Blue Button lets you go online and download your health records so you can use them to improve your health, have more control over your personal health information and your family’s healthcare. You have a legal right to receive your personal health information."
Many patients or family members have experienced the benefits of have information electronically available whenver and wherever it is needed.