Since its first introduction in the 1960’s, Health Informatics has paved the way for progress in the healthcare industry. Countless providers have adopted Electronic Health Records systems and notice improvements within the practice. In addition to financial compensation given by the federal government to adopt such systems, there have been several incentives for healthcare organizations to go electronic. Some of these include: increase patient engagement and involvement in care, ensure optimal health status for individuals and the overall population by improving quality of care, and reduce medical errors. Despite observations of the many benefits of implementing an E.H.R system, long term care organizations have been reluctant to follow. Assisted …show more content…
system, which can be observed within long term care facilities that have adopted such system. An E.H.R system can improve operations within these facilities. Less time will be spent retrieving records and more time will be spent with residents. The documentation process will be improved; records will be consistent, accurate, and legible, and the process of assessing patients will be enhanced. Nurses will also be able to share data with other providers electronically. Medical records can be easier accessed by providers in short term care settings or they can be sent electronically by nurses in long term care facilities. The reimbursement and billing process will also be amended due to more accurate documentation and information. Finally, especially with the prevalence of chronic diseases with patients in long term care settings, medication management will be improved. Nurses will be able to better track and administer the right prescription to the …show more content…
Planning is very important: facilities need do a lot of research on which E.H.R vendor would work best for their facilities. Since long term care facilities are not able to receive federal incentives (yet), they can seek out help from the state government. This help can be financial or also support in the process of selecting a system. They can also look into the possibility of partnering with accountable care organizations. The goal of A.C.O’s is to reduce the cost and improve quality of care by having providers work together. Entering a business partnership with A.C.O’s not only can lessen the financial burden on long term care facilities, but also could provide potential new residents in the facilities from patients currently being treated at existing