Home Healthcare: EHR vs. Paper Records Cost-Benefit Analysis

This presentation analyzes the implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) versus paper-based systems within a home healthcare agency, considering its cost-benefit analysis. The assignment begins by introducing EHRs, highlighting their advantages, such as easy access, time savings, and improved data sharing and storage, while comparing them with the limitations of paper-based systems, including the challenges of accessibility, durability, and the potential for data loss. The presentation then examines the cost-effectiveness of EHRs, emphasizing the reduction in long-term expenses compared to paper records. It also addresses data security, privacy, and the need for a dedicated IT team. Additionally, it discusses the reluctance of some general practitioners (GPs) to adopt EHRs, including time constraints, the need for training, and concerns about patient interaction. The presentation also includes a cost-benefit analysis, addressing the advantages and disadvantages of both systems, with the goal of making informed decisions and improving healthcare delivery.

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD
(EHR)
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) is the future
• Easy access from multiple devices
(ex- Laptop, Desktop, Tablet, Android & iOS platform)
• Updating medical history anytime anywhere
• Time saving compared to physical search
• Storage is much easier than hardcopy archiving

Accessibility & Durability
• Sharing medical records is much more easier in EHR method as Internet has
become an integral part of human life.
• Also it is much more convenient than going through documented papers to
search about the medical history of a patient.
• Accessing electronic data is easy as it can be retrieved from anywhere, unlike
paper-based records which is confounded in a particular location .
• Digital storage and Cloud storage are much more safe compared to physical
library as it is not limited by natural disasters or calamities.
• Degradation of hardcopy papers is also a major concern, while softcopy data can
be stored for indefinite time.

Accuracy and Completeness
 Digital data may be manipulated by any health professional who has
access to the particular portal.
 Data entry by the doctor for possible health related issues might
confuse diagnosis and medication of a patient.
 Although digital data may exhibit much more completeness because
of ease of upgradation of the documents, paper has edge over it in
accuracy, as it is well researched and precise and only a few people
have access to it, who might know about the medical and familial
history of the patient.

Cost-effectiveness
 Electronic Health Record is much more cost-effective compared to paper
based records. Simply because it costs more to add papers for every
extension of medical records of a single patient.
 Every 5 years, cloud based storage cost 50% less than before (Iuga &
McGuire, 2014).
 In comparison, every year paper based medical records cost 4% more.
 Also more paper means more cutting down of trees, which is harmful for our
environment.

Search and Share
 Primary data from medical reports focused on a particular disease for
systematic analysis is much more easier in digital database approach as it can
be customized by using key words.
 Manual sorting of the medical records for understanding prevalence of a
specific disease in cumbersome and time-consuming.
 Digital or electronic data is extremely easy to share, as it can be stored in a
cloud source and easily accessible to anyone in dire need.
 Paper-based approach has certain limitations in sharing because it is highly
dependent on electronic systems in this century, and require additional
machines (ex- Fax machine, Scanner etc.)
 Sharing is also cheaper in case of electronic records as it only requires
internet connection, compared to paper-based approach.

Security
 Paper based approach is much more secure as it is kept in a
hardcopy format.
 Digital database can be susceptible to hacking, if not monitored
properly.
 Utilizing proper encryption could be possible solution of this
problem. But that will increase cost of the system.
 Developing a dedicated IT Team.

Limitations
 General physicians (GPs) tend to avoid electronic database approach due to lack of time and limited
understanding of the platform.
 Implementation of IT team, monitoring the database, sharing and updating constantly requires monetary
investment which eventually increases cost-effectiveness.
 Completely unexposed to computer knowledge.
 GPs work through a tightly regulated schedule, any change in that format is not acceptable by many of them.
 GP and Nurses also abbreviated electronic records as a disruptor of their work culture, as they have been
using paper-based approached for years and preferentially depended on it.
 Security concerns and privacy of the patient medical conditions are also a major concern.
 Some suggested digital intervention damages Doctor-Patient interaction as a result of adapting to EHR.
 Few GPs find it convenient and easy to paper based approach as it is a classical method and has been in
practice for years (Ajami & Bagheri, 2013).

Access and Durability Electronic Health Record
Accuracy and Completeness Paper-based approach
Cost-effectiveness Electronic Health Record
Search and Share Electronic Health Record
Security Paper-based approach
As the table suggests, Electronic Heath Record (EHR)
systems possess greater advantage compared to
paper-based approach and could be an alternative
solution for better healthcare of patients.

References
Ajami, S., & Bagheri-Tadi, T. (2013). Barriers for adopting electronic health records
(EHRs) by physicians. Acta Informatica Medica, 21(2), 129.
Iuga, A. O., & McGuire, M. J. (2014). Adherence and health care costs. Risk
management and healthcare policy, 7, 35.

Thank You