NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 1 Technology-Informatics Use in Your Practice Setting

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX 8012 Nursing Technology and Health Care Information Systems

Prof. Name

Date

Technology Informatics Use in Your Practice Setting

Greetings, I am _____. Today, I am excited to discuss how Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are used at Mayo Clinic, a leading institution known for its advanced healthcare practices. EHRs have become essential in modern medical practice, significantly transforming patient care and engagement (Adeniyi et al., 2024). At Mayo Clinic, this technology is critical to improving and managing the quality of patient care. My recent experience at the Mayo Clinic has provided valuable insights into the practical application of EHRs. In this video, I will explore the benefits of EHRs within Mayo Clinic’s acute care setting, address the challenges encountered in their implementation, and propose a redesigned workflow to enhance care coordination and patient outcomes. Understanding these aspects will help us leverage EHR technology more effectively to deliver exceptional patient care.

Benefits of Chosen Technology

Context

Mayo Clinic, renowned for its exceptional healthcare services, has integrated Electronic Health Records (EHRs) into its acute care unit. EHRs replace traditional paper records with digital systems, improving the accuracy, accessibility, and management of patient information. This shift towards digitalization reflects a broader trend in healthcare aimed at enhancing patient outcomes, streamlining workflows, and supporting data-driven decision-making (Mehta et al., 2020). Understanding the benefits of EHRs at Mayo Clinic provides insights into how this technology enhances healthcare delivery and operational effectiveness.

Benefits of the Chosen Technology EHRs

EHRs at Mayo Clinic enable comprehensive and precise patient records, which is essential for delivering high-quality care. The system provides clinicians with complete patient histories, including previous treatments, allergies, and test results. This comprehensive access facilitates informed decision-making and reduces the likelihood of medical errors, enhancing patient safety by minimizing risks related to incorrect treatments or drug interactions. The adoption of EHRs promotes seamless communication among healthcare providers (Akinyemi et al., 2022).

At Mayo Clinic, this means that all members of a patient’s care team, ranging from specialists to primary care physicians, can view and contribute to a unified patient record. This collaborative approach improves continuity of care, as clinicians are well-informed about the patient’s overall treatment plan, which is particularly advantageous in managing complex or chronic conditions (Tapuria et al., 2021). EHRs streamline various administrative tasks, such as ordering tests, documenting patient interactions, and managing prescriptions. For Mayo Clinic’s acute care unit, this efficiency results in reduced paperwork and quicker processing of patient information. Clinicians can dedicate more time to direct patient care rather than administrative duties, enhancing overall workflow efficiency and reducing patient wait times (Moy et al., 2023). 

EHR systems at Mayo Clinic facilitate robust data collection and analysis, supporting evidence-based practice. By aggregating patient data, EHRs help identify trends and outcomes, enabling healthcare providers to make informed decisions and implement best practices. This data-driven approach is crucial for refining treatment protocols and improving patient care quality. EHRs at Mayo Clinic include patient portals that offer patients access to their health information, appointment scheduling, and communication with their care team (Chung et al., 2019).

This functionality empowers patients to actively participate in their healthcare, leading to increased satisfaction and better adherence to treatment plans. EHRs assist Mayo Clinic in adhering to healthcare regulations and standards, including those stipulated by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act and Meaningful Use criteria. The technology enables accurate and timely reporting, which is vital for maintaining accreditation and meeting quality metrics (Chung et al., 2019).

Obstacles to Utilizing EHR

The integration of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) at Mayo Clinic’s acute care unit brings significant benefits but also presents several challenges. From a healthcare provider’s perspective, these obstacles can impact the efficient use and overall effectiveness of the EHR system. System integration issues pose a significant challenge. At Mayo Clinic, multiple specialized systems, including laboratory and imaging systems, are used in conjunction with EHRs. Ensuring seamless communication between these systems can be complex. Integration problems may lead to fragmented patient information, delays in data sharing, and additional manual data entry tasks, which can affect the efficiency of patient care (Moy et al., 2023).

Usability and user training also present obstacles. EHR systems, while designed to streamline documentation and access, can be complex and challenging to navigate. Providers may require extensive training to become proficient with the system. Inadequate training or difficulties in using the EHR can result in decreased productivity, user frustration, and potential errors in patient documentation, which can affect care quality (Tsai et al., 2020). Data entry and accuracy are critical concerns. Manually entering patient data into EHR systems can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Ensuring that patient records are accurate and up-to-date is crucial in an acute care setting (Adeniyi et al., 2024). Mistakes in data entry can impact clinical decision-making and patient safety, highlighting the need for ongoing quality control and vigilance.

NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 1 Technology-Informatics Use in Your Practice Setting

Workflow disruption is another significant challenge. The transition to EHRs can disrupt established workflows and routines. Providers may experience interruptions as they adapt to new electronic documentation practices. This disruption can temporarily affect the efficiency of care delivery, particularly during the period when both paper and electronic systems might be in use. Data privacy and security concerns are paramount with EHR systems. While EHRs enhance data accessibility, they also raise concerns about the protection of sensitive patient information (Nowrozy et al., 2024).

Ensuring that patient data is secure from unauthorized access and cyber threats requires stringent security measures and adherence to regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (Schmidt, 2020). Balancing accessibility with security is a challenging aspect of EHR management. Financial costs associated with EHR systems can also be a barrier. The initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs for EHRs are substantial. Although EHRs are intended to improve efficiency and reduce costs over time, the financial burden of purchasing, implementing, and maintaining the technology can be significant (Lewkowicz et al., 2020). Budget constraints may impact the extent to which EHR features and functionalities can be fully utilized.

Workflow for EHRs after Redesign

The integration of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) at Mayo Clinic’s acute care unit necessitates a strategic redesign of the workflow to leverage the technology’s capabilities fully. This redesign aims to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance patient care. The patient admission process is the initial step that requires transformation. Currently, patient information is manually collected and recorded on paper forms, which are later entered into electronic systems. To streamline this, the redesigned workflow proposes implementing a digital intake system. Patients will enter their information directly into the EHR via tablet or kiosk stations during admission. This approach will minimize data entry errors, speed up the admission process, and ensure that patient information is readily available to clinicians (Sipanoun et al., 2022).

Clinical documentation and order management are also areas ripe for improvement. The existing workflow involves clinicians documenting patient interactions and ordering tests or medications using paper charts and faxed orders, which are later entered into electronic systems by administrative staff. In the redesigned workflow, clinicians will document patient information in real-time using EHRs at the point of care (Moy et al., 2023). Mobile devices or workstations will be employed for this purpose, enabling immediate data entry and reducing the time spent on administrative tasks.Effective care coordination and communication are critical to patient outcomes. Currently, communication among care team members relies on verbal updates or physical handoff notes, which can lead to information gaps.

NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 1 Technology-Informatics Use in Your Practice Setting

The redesigned workflow incorporates the EHR’s integrated communication tools, such as secure messaging and shared care plans, to facilitate seamless information exchange (Akinyemi et al., 2022). By ensuring that all relevant clinical notes and updates are available within the EHR, the workflow will enhance collaboration among healthcare providers and improve the continuity of care. Patient monitoring and data review are essential for timely interventions. Traditionally, data from monitoring devices is manually recorded and reviewed periodically, potentially causing delays in addressing critical changes. The new workflow integrates monitoring devices directly with the EHR, allowing real-time data uploads (Gandrup et al., 2020). Automated alerts within the EHR will notify clinicians of critical values or significant changes in patient status, enabling prompt action and reducing the risk of oversight. 

Technological enhancements will also benefit the discharge and follow-up process. Currently, discharge instructions and follow-up appointments are manually prepared and communicated to patients, often through physical copies or mail. The redesigned workflow uses the EHR to generate and deliver discharge instructions electronically. Patients will receive digital copies via a patient portal, and follow-up appointments can be scheduled directly through the EHR (Chung et al., 2019). Automated reminders will be sent to patients, improving adherence to follow-up care. Finally, the quality assurance and reporting processes require modernization. Manual compilation of quality assurance data and regulatory reports is time-consuming and error-prone. The redesigned workflow utilizes the EHR’s reporting capabilities to automate the collection and analysis of quality metrics and compliance data (Mehta et al., 2020). Real-time dashboards and automated reports will facilitate more efficient quality management and ensure adherence to regulatory standards.

Conclusion

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) at Mayo Clinic enhance patient care, communication, and efficiency. Despite challenges like system integration and usability, these can be addressed with proper training and strategies. The redesigned workflow improves processes such as patient admission and documentation. This approach leads to better patient outcomes and more efficient operations. Overall, EHRs support the Mayo Clinic in delivering high-quality healthcare.

References

Adeniyi, A. O., Arowoogun, J. O., Chidi, R., Okolo, C. A., Babawarun, O., Adeniyi, A. O., Arowoogun, J. O., Chidi, R., Okolo, C. A., & Babawarun, O. (2024). The impact of electronic health records on patient care and outcomes: A comprehensive review. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 21(2), 1446–1455. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.21.2.0592 

Akinyemi, O. R., Sibiya, M. N., & Oladimeji, O. (2022). Communication model enhancement using electronic health record standard for tertiary hospital. SA Journal of Information Management, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v24i1.1472 

Chung, S., Martinez, M. C., Frosch, D., Jones, V. G., & Chan, A. S. (2019). Patient-centric scheduling practices: Implementation of health information technology to improve the patient experience and access to care (preprint). Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(6). https://doi.org/10.2196/16451 

Gandrup, J., Ali, S. M., McBeth, J., van der Veer, S. N., & Dixon, W. G. (2020). Remote symptom monitoring integrated into electronic health records: A systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 27(11). https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocaa177 

Lewkowicz, D., Wohlbrandt, A., & Boettinger, E. (2020). Economic impact of clinical decision support interventions based on electronic health records. Bio Med Central Health Services Research, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05688-3 

NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 1 Technology-Informatics Use in Your Practice Setting

Mehta, S., Grant, K., & Ackery, A. (2020). Future of blockchain in healthcare: The potential to improve the accessibility, security, and interoperability of electronic health records. BMJ Health & Care Informatics, 27(3), e100217. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjhci-2020-100217 

Moy, A. J., Hobensack, M., Marshall, K., Vawdrey, D. K., Kim, E. Y., Cato, K. D., & Rossetti, S. C. (2023). Understanding the perceived role of electronic health records and workflow fragmentation on clinician documentation burden in emergency departments. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 30(5). https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocad038 

Nowrozy, R., Ahmed, K., Kayes, A. S. M., Wang, H., & McIntosh, T. R. (2024). Privacy preservation of electronic health records in the modern era: A systematic survey. ACM Computing Surveys, 56(8). https://doi.org/10.1145/3653297 

Schmidt, A. (2020). Regulatory challenges in healthcare IT: Ensuring compliance with HIPAA and GDPR. Academic Journal of Science and Technology, 3(1), 1−7–1−7. https://academicpinnacle.com/index.php/ajst/article/view/82 

Sipanoun, P., Oulton, K., Gibson, F., & Wray, J. (2022). The experiences and perceptions of users of an electronic patient record system in a pediatric hospital setting: A systematic review. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 160, 104691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2022.104691 

NURS FPX 8012 Assessment 1 Technology-Informatics Use in Your Practice Setting

Tapuria, A., Porat, T., Kalra, D., Dsouza, G., Xiaohui, S., & Curcin, V. (2021). Impact of patient access to their electronic health record: Systematic review. Informatics for Health and Social Care, 46(2), 194–206. https://doi.org/10.1080/17538157.2021.1879810 

Tsai, C. H., Eghdam, A., Davoody, N., Wright, G., Flowerday, S., & Koch, S. (2020). Effects of electronic health record implementation and barriers to adoption and use: A scoping review and qualitative analysis of the content. Life, 10(12), 1–27. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7761950/