English Literature

Electronic health records (EHR) also referred as computerized records are electronically compiled information of the wellbeing of an individual or the population. It is stored in a digital format which makes it possible to be shared by different health care centers since it is in a network. Some of these records include medical history of the individuals, allergies, and medication, status of immunization, results test from the laboratory and many others. This system is constructed and maintained in each individual hospital, clinic or in the office of a physician.

The main purpose of these EHRs is to add safety of the patients by making it possible to have decisions based on evidence and also to make the work easier in the health centers because it is automatic. Therefore, this is a very useful system to the doctors since it reduces the costs, favors a standard care for all and promotes their efficiency. Costs are cut when the doctors are able to access the patients previous images in the EHR and avoid the costs of doing others. Costs of both parties are reduced. Medical errors that usually lead to additional expenses are also reduced. Fast access of the patients medical history provides the platform of knowing their improvements thus promoting the quality of the health care. On the side of medical practitioners, EHRs provides clinical information which can be used for research to increase the degree of knowledge to be effective medical practitioners.  More time is needed by the EHR users than updating a paper chart used manually though as time goes, it becomes easier. Many arguments have come up on whether they really improve the quality of health care. These organizations have not proved above reasonable doubt on their arguments.