How to Create Efficiency in Hospitals - Essay Example

"How to Create Efficiency in Hospitals" is a wonderful example of a paper on the health system. 
Nearly a year ago I was appointed a member of a team that would research the importance of the Electronic Health Record System. The Electronic Health Record system is expected to assist caregivers by giving them vital information that would enhance their capability of making fast medical decisions (Hartley, 2005). This paper will, hence, provide a report of the team that I was assigned to regarding the Electronic Health Record system.

Question 1

Some of the key stakeholders in the health team were the project manager, the lead nurse, physician champion, the implementation team, and the application trainer. The physician champion acts as the link between the implementation team and the doctors. The lead nurse, on the other hand, is the leading source of the physician and clinical perspective to the project (Hartley, 2005).  The application trainer was responsible for training the implementation team on how the system was to be used. Finally, the implementation team was the team responsible for applying the system in healthcare organizations. This was where I stood.

Question 2

The project manager was the main person in this project. She was in charge of making sure that the project was moving (Hartley, 2005). She also supervised the work plan to make sure that it was on schedule. She kept a list of vendors along with practice issues that needed to be solved. The project manager was responsible for scheduling implementation-associated events, for instance, live dates and hardware deliveries (Hartley, 2005). Finally, the project manager was also responsible for communicating updates to other members of the other team members.

Question 3

Using Electronic Health Record will impact a healthcare organization positively by changing how health information is managed. This is because a computer-related information system will enhance record keeping, ensure speedy medical processes, and reduce legibility (Hartley, 2005). Also, computer-related support will encourage preventive practice, facilitate treatment, and identify drug interaction. Access to medical information by many caregivers will enhance a patient’s care and safety. Finally, Electronic Health Records will enhance a doctor’s ability to make fast medical decisions (Hartley, 2005).

Question 4

Some of the challenges that I encountered while trying to implement the system are discussed below. It was hard for caregivers to adjust their workflow so as to incorporate EHR use (Hartley, 2005). It was not only the new technology that affected most caregivers but also changing to new processes on working, as well. Also, the current EHR system that was implemented does not capture all the meaningful patients’ measures that will be useful in treating a patient.

Question 5

In order to rise above these hurdles, the government needs to play its part by assisting caregivers in working through issues that are related to implementing the E.H.R system (Hartley, 2005). This means that the government has to create solid principles and guidelines for caregivers on how to use this system efficiently. In addition, the government should make sure that the regulations of using this system do not obstruct caregivers’ ability to construct electronic records of their respective patients.

Question 6

In conclusion, the Health Record System will create efficiency around the hospital, particularly in emergency cases. Doctors could retrieve information regarding crucial patients within a nick of time and assist them. This will also reduce the number of medical-related deaths within the hospital (Hartley, 2005). In addition, it will also enhance record keeping around the hospital and save on space regarding the keeping of files. Read More