Analysis of Challenges and Benefits of Electronic Medical Records

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems, focusing on their challenges and benefits. It begins by outlining the historical context of medical record-keeping, transitioning from manual filing systems to the advent of EMRs in the 1970s. The report highlights the significant advantages of EMRs, such as enhanced security, standardization of patient records, and improved accessibility. The report then explores the challenges associated with EMR implementation, including high maintenance costs, the need for IT support, data security concerns, and obstacles during the initial rollout, such as server upgrades and staff training. Furthermore, the report references an interview with St. Joseph HMC’s Information Technology Manager, Mr. Jason Ludden, to provide real-world insights into these challenges. The report also discusses external factors, such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which mandate EMR adoption. Ultimately, the report concludes that while EMRs offer substantial benefits in healthcare, addressing the identified challenges is essential for maximizing their efficiency and effectiveness.

Running head: ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS 1
Electronic Medical Records
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliations

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Electronic Medical Records
It is important to note that before 1960, medical records were primarily stored on manual
filing system and paper. The medication directions, visit notes, lab reports, and diagnosis were
recorded and maintained through the use of paper sheets. The invention of Electronic Medical
Records in the 1970s has changed the manner in which the traditional medical record keeping
was housed, maintained as well as managed (Wolff et al., 2017). It is worth to acknowledge that
Regenstrief Institute was the first institution to develop electronic medical record system in 1972.
Today, the electron medical record has gotten its way to almost all medical offices or health
facilities with computers playing a significant role in housing, maintaining, and managing the
health records. The electronic medical record system establishes a way of storing the medical
records in much secure and confidential fashion. It eliminates inconsistencies through
standardizing patients’ records crosswise the board (Khankhanian et al., 2018). However, despite
the numerous benefits of EMR, it is engulfed with a lot of challenges, especially in its
implementation. As such, this paper, endeavors to explore the challenges faced by organizations
in EMR system implementation.
In an interview with St. Joseph HMC’s Information Technology Manager, Mr. Jason
Ludden, a lot of challenges were outlined in regards to Electronic Medical Records System
implementation. There exist several factors which influence organizations such as St. Joseph
HMC to institute the electronic medical records system, and one of these factors include the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Act forces all the healthcare facilities, whether
public or private to implement an Electronic Medical Records System. The Act gave the existing
healthcare providers up to 1st January 2014 to implement the system or lose their Medicaid or
Medicare reimbursements. As result of the Act, many healthcare facilities hurried to implement

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the EMR system without knowing its challenges. Subsequently, another significant factor which
forces the healthcare providers to implement an EMR system is the ease of sharing patient’s
information speedily between the care providers, for example, between nurses and physicians.
Additionally, the Electronic Medical Records System allows for easy accessibility and
maintenance of medical records in comparison to the manual recording keeping (Sulkes, 2016).
All these factors forced and carry on to force the healthcare facilities to implement the Electronic
Medical Records System.
Electronic Medical Records System implementation is also overwhelmed with resistance
to the decision-making process. It is vital to note that this resistance comes as result of the
maintenance cost rather than acquisition cost. The system requires IT technicians who can
troubleshoot the EMR issues. Due to troubleshooting problems, the private hospitals would use
off-site call centers or hire experts to assist them, which is very expensive. The Electronic
Medical Records System is also prone to hacking (Bowton et al., 2014). Hacking can lead to the
violation of HIPPA guidelines since patients’ medical records would be compromised, therefore,
leading to non-confidentiality. Security imposes a major challenge in implementing Electronic
Medical Records System, therefore, the medical facilities spend a lot of money strengthening the
security to ensure patients’ data are free from hacking.
In the same token, healthcare providers experience obstacles during the initial Electronic
Medical Records System roll-out. One of the barriers includes updating the servers to have the
capability to simultaneously handle everyone coming online (Miller & Sim, 2014). The process
is cumbersome since it encompasses running new lines all over the healthcare facility which
consumes a lot of money as well as time. Another obstacle includes staff training which also

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consumes a lot of money and time. Some staff members also resist training because they do not
prefer the change. Notably, these impediments make it hard to roll-out the system.
The Electronic Medical Records System has a lot of benefits after its installment or
institution on the overall quality of healthcare. In other words, it improves the general quality of
care leading to better service delivery. Electronic Medical Records System eases sharing of
patients’ information among manifold parties, for example, patient’s previous results and
procedures. According to Liao et al. (2015), the EMR minimizes errors through standardizing
patients’ records. It also offers better coordination among the healthcare providers.
It is important to note that the information gained from the interview matches up with my
readings in regards to the benefits and challenges of Electronic Medical Records System. Some
of the challenges mentioned by the IT manager such as expensive maintenance cost, obstacle
during the initial roll-out, hacking and benefits such as ensuring easy accessibility of patients’
information, offering better coordination between the care providers are similarly contained in
my regular readings and research. In a nutshell, Electronic Medical Records System provides a
lot of benefits in the healthcare industry, however, the challenges ought to be addressed to ensure
its efficiency as well as effectiveness.

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