Patients, families and communities want quality healthcare that is accessible and affordable. They want minimal hassle and the knowledge that their health information will be kept private and secure. And they want it fast. Good news. The evolution of health reform, along with revolutionary interactive technologies, have ushered in a new era where this can be a reality.
Health information Technology now makes it simple for patients to get dramatically better care through secure and confidential use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) instead of paper medical records. At the same time, thousands of people are using creative, convenient devices and electronic tools including Personal Health Records (PHRs), which allow patients to communicate more directly with providers, whether in an urban hospital or rural areas and neighborhoods where vulnerable and underserved populations live. This has the potential to dramatically improve public health as we know it. In the future, telemedicine and a statewide health IT technology infrastructure will build on this strong foundation.
The result is top quality healthcare. The highly respected Washington, DC-based Institute of Medicine says that “quality care means providing patients with appropriate services in a technically competent manner, with good communication, shared decision making, and cultural sensitivity.” Health information technology has the powerful potential to improve the quality and care for millions of people in California and around the world.
The Case for Electronic Records
In 2001, a report from the Institute of Medicine defined six aims for changing the health care system. Over the past decade, electronic health information has contributed to major progress in all of these areas. Here’s how:
- Aim #1:
Health care should be patient-centered, with a patient’s cultural, social, emotional, educational and specific needs given respect and attention.
- Electronic records can enable accurate and complete information about a patient's health.
- Aim #2:
Health care must be effective, matching the best science and be delivered by the most caring and compassionate health care teams.
- Electronic tools make it easy to quickly find the best possible care or check the best available techniques, studies or most appropriate procedures so that everyone can benefit from the tremendous advances in medical care.
- Aim #3:
Health care systems should be efficient, constantly seeking to reduce waste and unnecessary use of time, supplies, equipment or money.
- Electronic health records and systems reduce paperwork and improve communication and coordination of care for both patients and providers.
- Aim #4:
Health care should be equitable. Relevant information about race, ethnicity, gender, language and income should support high-quality care for everyone who chooses to share this information.
- The advances and progress in medicine, technology and science have the vast potential to reach and benefit everyone equally.
- Aim #5:
Health care should be timely. Prompt attention benefits not only patients, but also families, providers and caregiver teams.
- Information technology tools help people learn more about health issues sooner, ask better questions, and become better advocates for themselves and their families.
- Aim #6:
Health care must be safe. Safety and confidentiality must be built into our health care systems to reduce the possibility of unintentional harm.
- Electronic records deliver safe, secure access to personal health information, with the option to share that information with others involved in their care.