The Relationship between Computerized Patient Record Use and Quality Of Care

There is unanimity that widespread adoption of health information technology (IT), in particular computerized patient record, will result in increased efficiency and improved patient care. Computerized patient record is an evolving concept defined as a collection of electronic health information about individual patient or populations. It is a record in electronic format that is capable of being shared within across different healthcare providers, by being embedded in the network.

The main constraints in adopting computerized patient record are the physical barriers  and impact on the patient-doctor relationship that could result from the use of computerized patient record during the consultation. Initially there will be resistance in adopting electronic health record system but once doctor will expose the benefit of electronic health record, they will feel a need for an information system.

Computerized patient record helps in presenting  patient-specific information in the form of assessments or recommendations, or alerts or reminders during consultation. Computer based patient record system is designed to be used by care providers as a direct aid in clinical decision- making. In current scenario medical information required for clinical decision-making has increased; but  the accessibility of health data is still poor, resulting in inappropriate decisions and medical errors.

To increase the accessibility and management of patient related health information the use of electronic health record should be promoted. The first electronic health record will be used for the management of patients and collecting medical information.

Medical information is conceptually organized the patient’s paper medical record, and combine clinical and therapeutic  patient history. Computerized patient records are designed to be used directly by doctors during consultation and to provide online information and messages to help doctors in their practice.

The aim of DocEngage ( An Electronic Health Record) is to offer support in clinical decision-making, to increase coordination among health care providers, and to promote the correct care, thereby improving quality of care. The aim of DocEngage is also : to decrease the time duration for retrieval of medical records, allowing many care providers to have simultaneous access to the same patient medical record; to improve data confidentiality; and finally to collect routine data related to patient.

DocEngage increases quality of care by followings:

1) By providing timely access to patients’ related health information

2) By tracking patients over time of period to ensure that they receive accurate care

3) Helps in decision support-support  mechanisms to reduce medical errors

4) Provide accurate and complete data

5) Improved knowledge of patients’ medical history

6) Better Medical Examination