Electronic health records (EHRs) provide a database for an individual's healthcare data during healthcare encounters and the ability to exchange health information electronically. Consider an EHR with which you have had experience.
Include the following sections:
ApplicationofCourseKnowledge: Answer all questions/criteria with explanations and detail.
Identify one EHR with which you have experience. Provide the name of the system and the practice environment in which it was used.
Describe three key features of the system that supported positive client or organizational outcomes.
Describe one concern with the system specific to the organization. Discuss the impact of the concern and how it can be addressed.
Engagement in Meaningful Dialogue: Engage peers by asking questions, and offering new insights, applications, perspectives, information, or implications for practice:
Respond to at least one peer.
Respond to a second peer post.
Communicate using respectful, collegial language and terminology appropriate to advanced nursing practice.
Professionalism in Communication: Communicate with minimal errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation.
Full Answer Section
- Medication Management: Cerner's medication management tools helped to prevent medication errors and ensure that patients received the correct medications at the appropriate doses. This feature improved patient safety and reduced healthcare costs.
- Electronic Prescribing: Cerner's electronic prescribing feature streamlined the prescription process, reducing the risk of medication errors and improving patient safety. It also helped to reduce the administrative burden on healthcare providers.
Concern and Impact
One concern with Cerner that I encountered at the hospital was the system's complexity. The EHR interface was sometimes difficult to navigate, leading to increased workload and frustration for healthcare providers. This could potentially impact patient care by delaying access to information or causing errors.
To address this concern, the hospital implemented training programs to help staff become more proficient in using Cerner. Additionally, the organization considered upgrading to a newer version of the system with a more user-friendly interface.
Engagement in Meaningful Dialogue
Response to Peer 1
Your experience with Epic is similar to mine with Cerner. The patient portal is a valuable tool for improving patient engagement and communication. However, I also found that the complexity of these systems can be a challenge for healthcare providers. It's important for organizations to invest in training and support to help staff navigate EHRs effectively.
Response to Peer 2
Your point about the importance of data interoperability is well-taken. As healthcare becomes increasingly interconnected, the ability to exchange information seamlessly between different EHR systems is essential. I believe that standardized data formats and health information exchanges can play a significant role in addressing this issue.
Professionalism in Communication
I have strived to communicate in a respectful, collegial manner using appropriate nursing terminology. I have also carefully edited my responses to ensure that they are free of errors in grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation.
Sample Answer
EHR Experience
I have experience with Cerner, a widely used EHR system in healthcare settings. I encountered Cerner during my clinical rotations at a community hospital in the United States.
Key Features and Positive Outcomes
- Patient Portal: Cerner's patient portal allowed patients to access their health records, schedule appointments, and communicate with healthcare providers. This feature empowered patients to take an active role in their care and improved communication between patients and providers.