Assessment 1 Instructions: EHR Adoption and Benefits

• Prepare a 3-5 page workplace brief in which you analyze two EHR systems to determine which one best meets a health care organization’s needs.In this course, you will have the opportunity to get your hands on an electronic health record (EHR)! The EHR is a system—a group of elements working together to perform a function. HIM professionals need to be subject matter experts on the EHR’s various parts and how they are connected (Amatayakul, 2017).Additionally, the EHR system does not work in isolation. It is part of the overall health IT system. As such, HIM professionals need to be familiar with the systems development life cycle (SDLC), which is the “ongoing process of developing information systems” (Amatayakul, 2017). This cycle includes these phases: planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. Issues can arise at each of these phases, and HIM professionals play a key role in helping to resolve these issues.Finally, as health care organizations continue their journey from paper to electronic health records, they are discovering many benefits and challenges to EHR adoption. One such challenge is user resistance. Some EHR users think the challenges of EHR implementation outweigh the benefits. HIM professionals play a key role in helping users see the long-term benefits of EHR implementation. Ultimately, these systems will help them deliver quality care to patients more efficiently.Another key role HIM professionals play in EHR adoption is to help organizations implement an EHR in a considered and strategic way. What exactly are the organization’s goals for EHR use? Which particular use has priority for implemention? Which applications are needed, as opposed to those that are only desired? HIM professionals help their organizations make these kinds of decisions.In this first course assessment, you will assume the role of Vila Health’s EHR implementation consultant. One of the major tasks you have been assigned is to determine whether Vila Health should continue to use its current system, EHR Go, or whether a different EHR might better meet the organization’s needs.
  

  Reference

  Amatayakul, M. K. (2017). Health IT and EHRs: Principles and practice (6th ed.). Chicago, IL: AHIMA Press.

  Demonstration of Proficiency

  By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:

  • Competency 1: Analyze the development and the role of EHRs in health care organizations.
    • Describe an EHR system’s characteristics.
    • Explain the EHR’s benefits and limitations.
    • Analyze challenges to EHR adoption.
  • Competency 4: Analyze the implications of an increase in data sharing resulting from EHR adoption in various health care settings.
    • Compare/contrast EHR applications.
  • Competency 5: Communicate in a professional manner to support health data management.
    • Create a clear, well organized, professional workplace brief that is generally free of errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
    • Follow APA style and formatting guidelines for citations and references.

  Preparation

  The four assessments in this course require similar types of preparation:

  • Complete EHR Go activities.
  • Analyze a case study.
  • Conduct independent research into various aspects of EHRs.

  The specifics of this preparation, however, vary from assessment to assessment. Please see the specifics listed below to successfully complete Assessment 1.

  EHR Go

  As soon as your faculty member provides the information you need, create an account to access the EHR activities planned for the course. If you need help with your EHR Go account, please contact the EHR Go help desk or phone at 1-877-907-2186. Direct questions related to the content of the learning activities to your faculty member.Before beginning your assessment, do all of the assigned EHR course activities. This will help to ensure you have the skills and experience to apply to the case study analysis. Also, as you use various EHR applications, pay attention to your experiences and lessons learned. This information will inform your completion of the assessment.Complete these specific EHR Go activities for Assessment 1:

  • This first activity introduces basic navigational skills to review and enter data in an EHR.
    • EHR Go: EHR Orientation.
  • This second activity focuses on what the EHR can do and how it can be used.
    • EHR Go: The Power of the EHR.
  • This third activity provides you with a chance to practice editing information in an EHR.
    • EHR Go: Editing Patient Information.

  Case Studies

  Each course assessment requires you to select a case study to analyze and then incorporate into the assessment. Choosing case studies that allow you to meet each assessment’s scoring guide criteria is your responsibility. Please review the case study resources now to ease your path to assessment completion. For this first assessment, select a case study that focuses on EHR characteristics and/or EHR applications.

  • HealthIT.gov. (n.d.). Case studies. Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/case-studies
    • At this link, you will find EHR implementation stories from providers around the country. In addition, case studies from specific categories, such as meaningful use and health information exchange, are provided. On the left hand side of the screen, be sure to click the + sign to open the list of case studies.
  • Michigan State Medical Society. (n.d.). EMR in physician practices: A summary of 14 case studies to guide Michigan physicians [PDF]. Retrieved from https://www.msms.org/Portals/0/Documents/MSMS/Reso…
    • These studies fill a gap in research by providing physicians with examples of adoption by practices of various sizes and settings.
  • Capella Library Databases.
    • This link takes you to a list of all Capella Library databases. Within this list, PubMed Central is a good resource for case studies. Search electronic health records to get started.

  Independent Research

  If you are less familiar with EHRs, you may wish to conduct additional independent research. The suggested resources provide a good starting point. You may also wish to consult the Health Care Administration Undergraduate Library Research Guide for research tips and help in identifying current, scholarly and/or authoritative sources.

  Instructions

  To determine whether Vila Health should continue using its existing EHR Go system or whether another EHR system might better meet the organization’s needs, you will begin by comparing/contrasting EHR Go with another health care organization’s EHR presented in a case study of your choosing. Note: In the workplace, this type of task typically would require you to compare/contrast your organization’s EHR with three or four other EHR systems. For the purpose of this assessment, however, you will be comparing/contrasting Vila Health’s EHR with one other health care organization’s EHR.To make your determination about whether Vila Health should continue using EHR Go as its EHR, you will:

  • Analyze the EHR presented in the case study you selected.
  • Conduct additional independent research of scholarly and/or authoritative sources on EHR implementation.
  • Compare/contrast your case study and independent research findings with your experience using EHR Go in the course.

  You will then prepare a three- to five-page workplace brief that includes all of the following headings. Be sure to address the questions underneath each heading:

  Case Study Overview (1/2 page)

  • What are the three to five key aspects of the EHR implementation and usage in the case study that will be of most interest to Vila Health leadership?

  EHR System Characteristics (1 page)

  • What are the three to five major characteristics of an EHR system according to your case study, your suggested resources, your independent research, and your experience using EHR Go in the course?

  EHR System Benefits and Limitations (1/2 page)

  • Based on your research and analysis, what are the three to five major benefits and limitations of EHR systems?

  EHR Adoption Challenges (1 page)

  • What are three to five major challenges health care organizations face when adopting an EHR system based on your experience in the course or workplace, your research, and your analysis?

  EHR Go Applications vs. EHR Case Study Applications (1/2 page)

  • Which two applications located in EHR Go and the EHR case study will you compare/contrast?
  • How are these applications in the two EHR systems the same?
  • How are they different?

  Conclusion (1/2 page)

  • Review the key points of your analysis between EHR Go and the EHR case study.

  Additional Requirements

  • Length: 3–5 double spaced pages.
  • Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
  • APA: Provide citations and references in current APA style and format. This guide is a good refresher on APA style and formatting guidelines: APA Style and Format.
  • Writing: Create a clear, well organized, professional document that is generally free of errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.Activity: Introduction to the EHR
    
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    • INTRODUCTION TO THE EHR

      Click the linked Introduction to the EHR title above to complete a short interactive activity. In this exercise, you will have the opportunity to explore information about EHR characteristics—its benefits, limitations, challenges, and applications. Next you will be able to complete a short Q and A to assess your EHR knowledge and determine whether you are ready to begin work on your assessment or might benefit from additional study.

  • Resources: Introduction to the EHR
  • Amatayakul, M. K. (2017). Health IT and EHRs: Principles and practice (6th ed.). Chicago, IL: AHIMA Press. Available from the bookstore.
    • • • Chapter 1, “Introduction to Health IT,” pages 1–28.
      • Capella University Health Care Administration Undergraduate Library Research Guide.
        • Please consult this guide as needed to conduct independent research on course topics. This resource will direct you to scholarly, peer-reviewed, and authoritative resources.
      • Franz, B., & Murphy, J. W. (2015). Electronic medical records and the technological imperative: The retrieval of dialogue in community-based primary care. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 58(4), 480–492.
      • Hawley, G., Hepworth, J., Wilkinson, S. A., & Jackson, C. (2016). From maternity paper hand-held records to electronic health records: What do women tell us about their use? Australian Journal of Primary Health, 22(4), 339–348
      • Resources: Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC
      • • • Amatayakul, M. K. (2017). Health IT and EHRs: Principles and practice (6th ed.). Chicago, IL: AHIMA Press. Available from the bookstore.
            • Chapter 2, “Information Systems Theory and Systems Development Life Cycle,” pages 29–52.
          • Shahmoradi, L., Darrudi, A., Arji, G., & Ahmadreza, F. N. (2017). Electronic health record implementation: A SWOT analysis. Acta Medica Iranica, 55(10), 642–649.