An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of patient’s paper record. It details all of the patient’s health and care information, and it can be shared across a variety of healthcare settings. This digital system has revolutionized the way patient information is stored and managed, and enhances the accuracy and efficiency of healthcare delivery. Not to mention, it also has the potential to improve patient health outcomes in a significant way.
Here are a few ways in which EHRs can improve patient health and contribute to better overall well being.
Streamlined Data Accessibility
One of the main benefits of EHRs is the streamlined data accessibility of patient information. Traditional paper health records can take time to transfer between various healthcare professionals, and there is a chance it can get lost in transit. Not to mention, retrieving the data can take a long time, which is not only inconvenient; it can pose a serious problem in some cases.
Effective data management for mental health is critical for providing comprehensive care and enhancing overall well-being. EHRs for mental health enable the safe and efficient storing of sensitive patient data such as diagnoses, treatment plans, therapy notes, and progress assessments. Mental health practitioners may quickly collaborate and share vital patient information with enhanced data accessibility, providing a holistic approach to therapy and care coordination. Furthermore, the use of EHRs in mental health settings allows for data-driven insights and analysis, resulting in improved research opportunities and the development of evidence-based practices suited to individual requirements. Healthcare professionals can improve mental health outcomes and make more informed decisions by using the capabilities of mental health EHR, eventually contributing to their patient’s overall well-being.
EHRs are kept in a digital format, and once authorization has been given, they can be shared among healthcare professionals quickly and easily. If documented and stored properly, they cannot get lost like a paper record, either.
This streamlined access to data enables healthcare professionals to make better-informed decisions in a timely manner, which can improve patient outcomes.
Enhanced Treatment Planning
Another benefit is that healthcare providers can easily access comprehensive patient information, which allows them to prescribe tailored treatment plans.
By reviewing the medical history of a patient and getting access to the care they have already received, a healthcare professional can see any health issues a patient has and make a well-informed decision on what to do next. For instance, if a patient has moved home and visits a new doctor with complaints about swallowing, the doctor can check the patient’s EHR to see the diagnosis and information about care given by previous previous healthcare professionals.
Their record might state that they have dysphagia as a result of a muscular disorder; in which case, the doctor can prescribe a personalized plan. This could include speech therapy to strengthen their muscles and thickening products to make swallowing less painful—the patient can thicken soup with Simply Thick gel to help make it easier to swallow. These products not only make food and liquids more palatable, they can also reduce the risk of choking and aspiration.
Better Research and Data Analytics
An electronic system means that there is a vast amount of data in one place, and this data can be used for both analytical and research purposes. De-identified and aggregated data can be used for a number of purposes, such as clinical trials, the development of evidence-based practices, and it can also contribute to population health studies.
Patterns, potential risk factors, and trends can be identified in EHR data, which can lead to healthcare innovation and disease management. In turn, the findings can result in enhanced care and outcomes.
With EHR records, healthcare professionals can avoid suggesting treatments that have already been tried without success, which means the patient more likely to leave happier and well-treated.
