WEEK 6 DISCUSSION
Technology in healthcare is progressing at a tremendous speed and positively
influencing the healthcare industry. The use of technology such as the cellphones, emails,
instant messaging through Skype, texts, video conferences, computer monitors, web-based
checklists, and computerized patient record system (CPRS), among others, allow healthcare
providers and patients to gain access to patients’ information anywhere and anytime. According
to one of the videos I watched in this week’s module, “Public health informatics,” some patients
use these technologies such as their mobile devices to track their weight, diet, heart rate, blood
glucose, and exercise. They also have the option to transfer that information into a more
extensive network for a cumulative effect (Laureate Education, 2018).
Electronic Health Record (EHR) has changed how data is gathered, stored, and
disseminated (HealthIT.gov, 2019). With the inception of EHR in my organization, there is a
much-coordinated workflow and collaboration among nurses, patients, and other
interdisciplinary teams. Patients are encouraged to install the supportive application even in their
mobile devices to access their records through the computerized patient record system (CPRS)
portal. The patient portal access allows patient access to their medical records, including
appointment times, laboratory results, X-rays, and make a direct appointment with their primary
care team. More and more patients are empowered through the use of modern health care
technology in sharing of records, health information, and values and goals, which leads to
patient’s engagement, knowledge, and involvement in their care (Dykes et al., 2017).
Describe any potential challenges or risks that may be inherent in the
technologies associated with these trends you described.
, Although accesses to patients’ records are becoming more manageable, yet there are
some potential challenges and risks associated with this technology surge, such as lack of patient
education/knowledge and security breaches. Without secured access, exposure to patient’s
information becomes a security threat in the form of computer hackers by phishers and
scammers. This issue is not only about the patients alone but also the healthcare providers who
use computers and handheld devices Mcgonigle & Mastrian, 2018b). Before the enhancement of
the security features in my facility as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA), some of the employees use unsecured network access in public areas (Harman,
Flite, & Bond, 2012). I have also witnessed some of the nurses losing their Vocera phone, which
is a security breach. The inability for a facility or an employee to safeguard patient’s
information attracts fines and loss of job Mcgonigle & Mastrian, 2018c). As I mentioned above,
my facility added more protection by auditing patient’s electronic data regular to deter staff
members from viewing patient’s records that are not assigned to them or involved in their care.
Describe at least one potential benefit and one potential risk associated
with data safety, legislation, and patient care for the technologies you
described.
Some of the potential benefits or EHR is the ability for the nurses and other health care
providers to collaborate care faster for the patients. It creates easy access to necessary
information and records at the right time, including more regular attention. Additionally, it
provides the potential to reduce readmissions and avoid unnecessary urgent and hospital visits;
and provides safer medication management, thereby eliminating the risk of medication errors.
The potential risk of misinformation is a possibility. In the CPRS portal, there are no web links
or training tools attached to the portal to satisfy the curious patient who wants to know more.
When patients get their health information and radiological results and imaging, human curiosity
may be provoked, and they may want to know more. This quest for knowledge could lead the
Technology in healthcare is progressing at a tremendous speed and positively
influencing the healthcare industry. The use of technology such as the cellphones, emails,
instant messaging through Skype, texts, video conferences, computer monitors, web-based
checklists, and computerized patient record system (CPRS), among others, allow healthcare
providers and patients to gain access to patients’ information anywhere and anytime. According
to one of the videos I watched in this week’s module, “Public health informatics,” some patients
use these technologies such as their mobile devices to track their weight, diet, heart rate, blood
glucose, and exercise. They also have the option to transfer that information into a more
extensive network for a cumulative effect (Laureate Education, 2018).
Electronic Health Record (EHR) has changed how data is gathered, stored, and
disseminated (HealthIT.gov, 2019). With the inception of EHR in my organization, there is a
much-coordinated workflow and collaboration among nurses, patients, and other
interdisciplinary teams. Patients are encouraged to install the supportive application even in their
mobile devices to access their records through the computerized patient record system (CPRS)
portal. The patient portal access allows patient access to their medical records, including
appointment times, laboratory results, X-rays, and make a direct appointment with their primary
care team. More and more patients are empowered through the use of modern health care
technology in sharing of records, health information, and values and goals, which leads to
patient’s engagement, knowledge, and involvement in their care (Dykes et al., 2017).
Describe any potential challenges or risks that may be inherent in the
technologies associated with these trends you described.
, Although accesses to patients’ records are becoming more manageable, yet there are
some potential challenges and risks associated with this technology surge, such as lack of patient
education/knowledge and security breaches. Without secured access, exposure to patient’s
information becomes a security threat in the form of computer hackers by phishers and
scammers. This issue is not only about the patients alone but also the healthcare providers who
use computers and handheld devices Mcgonigle & Mastrian, 2018b). Before the enhancement of
the security features in my facility as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA), some of the employees use unsecured network access in public areas (Harman,
Flite, & Bond, 2012). I have also witnessed some of the nurses losing their Vocera phone, which
is a security breach. The inability for a facility or an employee to safeguard patient’s
information attracts fines and loss of job Mcgonigle & Mastrian, 2018c). As I mentioned above,
my facility added more protection by auditing patient’s electronic data regular to deter staff
members from viewing patient’s records that are not assigned to them or involved in their care.
Describe at least one potential benefit and one potential risk associated
with data safety, legislation, and patient care for the technologies you
described.
Some of the potential benefits or EHR is the ability for the nurses and other health care
providers to collaborate care faster for the patients. It creates easy access to necessary
information and records at the right time, including more regular attention. Additionally, it
provides the potential to reduce readmissions and avoid unnecessary urgent and hospital visits;
and provides safer medication management, thereby eliminating the risk of medication errors.
The potential risk of misinformation is a possibility. In the CPRS portal, there are no web links
or training tools attached to the portal to satisfy the curious patient who wants to know more.
When patients get their health information and radiological results and imaging, human curiosity
may be provoked, and they may want to know more. This quest for knowledge could lead the
