Electronic Health Records

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that electronic health records (EHR), which store and manage patient health information, are used by many different types of healthcare delivery systems from hospitals to private practice. The paper looks at how, although this system often makes dealing with patient records more orderly and efficient, there are also ethical concerns about patient confidentiality and privacy. The paper underscores that health professionals must assure patients of the efficacy of the EHR systems.

From the Paper:

"One example of showing this sort of concern is respecting a client's confidentiality. The assurance between client and caregiver is also bolstered by this confidentiality, another key element of the helping process that translates from textual to real-life situations fluidly. Of course, healthcare professionals need to look out for their own interests, and there are limits that can be placed on confidentiality if there is a significant risk involved to the physical and mental well being a healthcare professional, staff, other patients, or the client themselves."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Conner, V (1999). Patient confidentiality in the electronic age. Journal of the National Intravenous Therapy Association.
• Ford, E, N Menachemi, and T Phillips (2008). Predicting the adoption of electronic health records by physicians. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
• Gallagher, P (2004). Maintain privacy with electronic charting. Nursing Management.
• Jenkins, D (2002). Protecting patient privacy in the age of instant access. Clinical Nurse Specialist.
• Health information technology in the US. (2007). Massachusetts General Hospital/ Robert Johnson Wood Foundation.

More papers on Electronic Health Records:

• Descriptive Essay # 107958 : "Electronic Health Records Systems"
• Analytical Essay # 113705 : "Electronic Health Records and Ethics"
• Persuasive Essay # 108968 : "Electronic Health Records: The Ethical Issues"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: