MY ANSWER: I choose interoperability
Interoperability occurs when a system can exchange and use information from another electronically without added effort from a user (Alvarado, C.S., Zook, K & Henry, J., 2017). A sound healthcare system should help send, find, receive, and include or utilize electronic health records with different systems that don’t belong to the same organization.
An efficient healthcare system makes it easy for the workforce to obtain data relating to a patient from another organization in record time. Once received, this information can be stored in the facility’s database for future reference to avoid repeating the process. The amount of administrative work done, like filing and requesting data through fax, is reduced.
Some patients may need complex care, hence a need for transfer from one facility to another. In the case of acute care patients, medical errors made while providing patient information during a transfer due to miscommunication and poor coordination can result in death. However, with a sound working system, it becomes easy to affect the transfer and get all the continued treatment information.
An excellent working healthcare system is essential in saving time for the patient and healthcare worker and ensuring that the best care is provided based on the information available. Therefore, it should be the aim of every organization to ensure that the systems put in place to collect, share, and use electronic health records are appropriately maintained.
References
Alvarado, C. S., Zook, K., & Henry, J. (2017). Electronic health record adoption and interoperability among US skilled nursing facilities in 2016. ONC Data Brief, (39). https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/electronic-health-record-adoption-and-interoperability-among-u.s.-skilled-nursing-facilities-in-2016.pdf
Henry, J., Pylypchuk, Y., & Patel, V. (2018). Electronic health record adoption and interoperability among US skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies in 2017.https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/page/2018-11/Electronic-Health-Record-Adoption-and-Interoperability-among-U.S.-Skilled-Nursing-Facilities-and-Home-Health-Agencies-in-2017.pdf