Paediatric Electronic Health Records
Health care informatics entails the use of systems of information, health care knowledge, databases, and information technology in gathering, managing, storing and interpreting large data amounts that get generated in a healthcare organization in the processes of providing care to the patients. The use of electronic health records in pediatric care plays a significant role in the enhancement of the effectiveness of the care that gets provided in the sense that it makes the exchange and sharing of information about the health of patients between physicians much easier, which makes the treatment process more effective and efficient. Pediatric care is a sensitive aspect of health care provision which makes it crucial for healthcare providers to use the electronic health records to ensure the sufficient flow of information to improve the quality of care that gets provided to the children in their care.
EMR system in pediatric care
In my experience in pediatric care, the EMR system has significantly helped improve efficiency because of the storage of large amounts of information containing the health history of pediatric patients. It makes access to the medical history of a patient more effective as the use of computers is more effective than having to search for information through piles of physical files. Electronic records help in reducing medical errors that could occur due to failure to access all the information about the history of a patient on time (Carsley, Birken, Parkin, Pullenayegum, & Tu, 2018). This is because the clinical notes and records are easily and effectively managed using electronic record-keeping in pediatric care. The lists of medications also become easily accessible, which helps in enhancing efficiency by minimizing the risks to errors that may arise from the wrong prescription of medication. EMRs have generally improved every aspect of the provision of pediatric care, including care that is patient-centred, communication, safety, efficiency, effectiveness and timeliness.
The EMR provides safety in that there is a significant reduction in medication errors (Huang et al., 2019). The pediatric care providers are able to stay up to date with the plans of treatment more effectively, which improves patient safety. The safety of patients in pediatric care is also improved by the EMR system as the care providers are able to have easy access to information concerning the patient’s medication in terms of any allergies they may have. The dates for immunization are essential in pediatric care, and the EMR system makes it possible for the care providers to not forget them due to the effectiveness of electronic record keeping. The EMR system enhances the outcomes of care for the patients as the care providers are able to assess tools that are based on evidence in making decisions regarding the health and treatment of the patients (Westbrook et al., 2016). The EMR system also helps the healthcare providers in the effective monitoring of development and growth of the children, which improves their ability to identify and manage any developmental issues that may arise in their development.
Appraisal
The use of the EMR system in the provision of pediatric care is a vital part of healthcare for effective and efficient care provision. Pediatric care is crucial as children require more attention than taking care of adults as children tend to not be completely aware of all the aspects of their condition and the various treatments for their conditions. The use of EMRs is also associated with some challenges concerning safety as information may sometimes be misinterpreted, leading to errors (Ratwani et al., 2018). They require constant supervision, and by using the electronic medical records, the caregivers are able to have easy access to the history of the treatment of the patients, their entire medical records and details of medication to use. Communication between nurses, physicians and patients is also improved by the use of EMRs as the sharing of information becomes efficient, generating positive outcomes.
References
Carsley, S., Birken, C. S., Parkin, P. C., Pullenayegum, E., & Tu, K. (2018). Completeness and accuracy of anthropometric measurements in electronic medical records for children attending primary care. BMJ Health & Care Informatics, 25(1).
Huang, C. Y., Nguyen, P. A., Yang, H. C., Islam, M. M., Liang, C. W., Lee, F. P., & Li, Y. C. J. (2019). A probabilistic model for reducing medication errors: A sensitivity analysis using Electronic Health Records data. Computer methods and programs in biomedicine, 170, 31-38.
Ratwani, R. M., Savage, E., Will, A., Fong, A., Karavite, D., Muthu, N., … & Grundmeier, R. (2018). Identifying electronic health record usability and safety challenges in pediatric settings. Health Affairs, 37(11), 1752-1759.
Westbrook, J. I., Li, L., Raban, M. Z., Baysari, M. T., Mumford, V., Prgomet, M., … & Dalla-Pozza, L. (2016). Stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of an electronic medication management system to reduce medication errors, adverse drug events and the average length of stay at two paediatric hospitals: a study protocol. BMJ Open, 6(10), e011811.