DNP 805 Topic 2 DQ 1

DNP 805 Topic 2 DQ 1 Discuss the usefulness of the electronic health record (EHR) and its impact on patient safety and quality outcomes. Describe strengths and limitations that might apply to its usage. During the last decade, healthcare has witnessed the development and implementation of electronic health records (EHRs). The initial theory was that EHRs would improve patient safety and quality outcomes. Silverman (1998) stated that some of the obvious advantages to an EHR would have included and were not limited to the ease of access and immediate availability of patient information, history, and treatment plans in routine or emergency situations. He stated the potential to decrease adverse outcomes such as missed diagnoses, unnecessary or repeated treatments and procedures, international drug interactions and contraindicated treatments. If all EHRs were connected, one could also have a complete and up to date medical record always immediately available to caregivers. Reimbursement incentives to increase the use of EHRs were put into place by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act in 2009. This Act allocated $27 billion of reimbursement for the demonstration of the meaningful use of EHRs. Clinical decision support rules that are specialty specific were expected to be implemented in the EHR to guide