This article provides an overview of the intended benefits from the implementation of the National Electronic Health Record in areas of rural North Dakota. While problems in rural areas of the State may seem comparable to similar regions across United States, health statistics provide a contrasting view which further substantiates the evidence for implementing a state wide system of electronic health records to address important medical issues in rural areas of this area. The need for such a data seems critical after evaluating data from popular medical source that indicates striking facts as the highest proportion of seniors over 85 years in the Nation and the only State not to adapt the electronic record system despite an existing infrastructure. The authors underline major problems faced by the rural community and offer an insight into several healthcare programs that can help implement such a structure. It is proposed that such a healthcare program would not only resolve some major health concerns in rural North Dakota but also help revive the local economy.
Introduction
Electronic Health Records are used by hospitals all over the World to store, retrieve and manage the medical records of a patient. Its primary advantage is easy access for doctors and medical practitioners to gain access to a centralized system that offers information on patients health record without the need to physically travel long distances. Consider a possible futuristic scenario where a doctor in China could get hold of the entire medical history of a patient who is a first time visitor to that country and in need of critical emergency care. At present the realization of such a goal is in early stages as even in United States, only 38.4 of the office based physicians have used such a system (Hsiao, 2008). Moreover only 10 of the hospitals in US have implemented healthcare information systems (Smaltz, 2007). While some of these facts can be described by the disproportionate healthcare industry spending that allocates only 2 of gross revenue to HIT, there are additional factors, some of which will be addressed in this study. Among such factors is a privacy concern of which Los Angles Times reported that nearly 150 people at any time have access to partial healthcare information of any one patient (Foreman, 2006).
Despite these limitations, Unites States have a reasonably well organized management plan for integrating electronic health records across the Nation. To promote such a cause, the Office of National Coordinator for Health Technology was created in 2004, aiding the development of regional health information organizations. This cause has taken a giant stride when recently announced economic stimulus package providing essential incentives to the physicians adapting HER systems. In such circumstances, it is a golden opportunity for policymakers to employ a centralized electronic health record plan which should aid in the development of healthcare in rural areas in particular and the entire region, in general.
According to the Center for Rural Health there are ten counties in North Dakota that has not a single hospital, primary care clinic or a long term care facility that has Electronic Medical Recording system in place (Electronic Medical Record). Additionally, these counties do not have any public health unit that has access to electronic client management system. In view of these findings it is imperative that the state government of North Dakota not only foster the development of electronic health records but also harness the existing capabilities of the ongoing healthcare programs to build a viable infrastructure. These tasks cannot be carried out without the help of communities who provide the needed workforce, ideas, financial and moral support to health organizations. The implementation of electronic health records into a state wide system will be better served these local communities are provided information on the potential benefits. It is therefore expected that North Dakota will seriously consider the implementation of a national electronic health record that will abridge physical, social and economic gaps between rural and urban communities through an advanced healthcare technology.
Executive Summary
There is a growing need for Electronic Health Record in rural North Dakota. So far, North Dakota has not adapted a statewide system of EHR despite the existence of a suitable healthcare system. A centralized medical record holds several advantages as it not only improves the time required for medical treatments but also reduces the chances of error. It is a fact that most patients are constantly treated by different physicians therefore such a record keeping system will not only facilitate the communication gap but also help medical practitioners to better serve patients better by acquiring the entire health records.
All across the Nation, there are major differences in healthcare, social and economic profiles of rural and urban areas. Surveys indicate the rural areas have a major drawback when it comes to acquiring comparable facilities to urban areas. Income, employment, education and economic disparities exist among these two different social spheres. These issues are compounded by lack of medical facilities in rural areas where the gap in small rural communities is even larger. Rural North Dakota is no exception to such issues as a majority of the population has inadequate access to hospitals, clinics and other long term healthcare facilities.
Moreover, the unavailability of skill doctors, emergency workers and nurses only manages to deteriorate the conditions further.
The quality of healthcare in rural areas of North Dakota can only be addressed by adequate financing and planning. The implementation of electronic health recording system is one of the primary solutions to increasing healthcare quality which can help alleviate many problems through the aid of existing network of healthcare programs. In fact, these EMR systems will not only help healthcare providers but also act as a channel to revitalize the local economy.
Introduction
Electronic Health Records are used by hospitals all over the World to store, retrieve and manage the medical records of a patient. Its primary advantage is easy access for doctors and medical practitioners to gain access to a centralized system that offers information on patients health record without the need to physically travel long distances. Consider a possible futuristic scenario where a doctor in China could get hold of the entire medical history of a patient who is a first time visitor to that country and in need of critical emergency care. At present the realization of such a goal is in early stages as even in United States, only 38.4 of the office based physicians have used such a system (Hsiao, 2008). Moreover only 10 of the hospitals in US have implemented healthcare information systems (Smaltz, 2007). While some of these facts can be described by the disproportionate healthcare industry spending that allocates only 2 of gross revenue to HIT, there are additional factors, some of which will be addressed in this study. Among such factors is a privacy concern of which Los Angles Times reported that nearly 150 people at any time have access to partial healthcare information of any one patient (Foreman, 2006).
Despite these limitations, Unites States have a reasonably well organized management plan for integrating electronic health records across the Nation. To promote such a cause, the Office of National Coordinator for Health Technology was created in 2004, aiding the development of regional health information organizations. This cause has taken a giant stride when recently announced economic stimulus package providing essential incentives to the physicians adapting HER systems. In such circumstances, it is a golden opportunity for policymakers to employ a centralized electronic health record plan which should aid in the development of healthcare in rural areas in particular and the entire region, in general.
According to the Center for Rural Health there are ten counties in North Dakota that has not a single hospital, primary care clinic or a long term care facility that has Electronic Medical Recording system in place (Electronic Medical Record). Additionally, these counties do not have any public health unit that has access to electronic client management system. In view of these findings it is imperative that the state government of North Dakota not only foster the development of electronic health records but also harness the existing capabilities of the ongoing healthcare programs to build a viable infrastructure. These tasks cannot be carried out without the help of communities who provide the needed workforce, ideas, financial and moral support to health organizations. The implementation of electronic health records into a state wide system will be better served these local communities are provided information on the potential benefits. It is therefore expected that North Dakota will seriously consider the implementation of a national electronic health record that will abridge physical, social and economic gaps between rural and urban communities through an advanced healthcare technology.
Executive Summary
There is a growing need for Electronic Health Record in rural North Dakota. So far, North Dakota has not adapted a statewide system of EHR despite the existence of a suitable healthcare system. A centralized medical record holds several advantages as it not only improves the time required for medical treatments but also reduces the chances of error. It is a fact that most patients are constantly treated by different physicians therefore such a record keeping system will not only facilitate the communication gap but also help medical practitioners to better serve patients better by acquiring the entire health records.
All across the Nation, there are major differences in healthcare, social and economic profiles of rural and urban areas. Surveys indicate the rural areas have a major drawback when it comes to acquiring comparable facilities to urban areas. Income, employment, education and economic disparities exist among these two different social spheres. These issues are compounded by lack of medical facilities in rural areas where the gap in small rural communities is even larger. Rural North Dakota is no exception to such issues as a majority of the population has inadequate access to hospitals, clinics and other long term healthcare facilities.
Moreover, the unavailability of skill doctors, emergency workers and nurses only manages to deteriorate the conditions further.
The quality of healthcare in rural areas of North Dakota can only be addressed by adequate financing and planning. The implementation of electronic health recording system is one of the primary solutions to increasing healthcare quality which can help alleviate many problems through the aid of existing network of healthcare programs. In fact, these EMR systems will not only help healthcare providers but also act as a channel to revitalize the local economy.
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