Integrated electronic patient health record systems: a means for enhanced patient experience and better health outcomes for all
Amanda Marcinowska, Graduate student in Family Medicine at McGill University and
Hospital Information System Support Associate at Trillium Health Partners
Electronic medical record (EMR) systems are integrated health information systems that store patient health information in a digital format which can be shared across multiple providers and healthcare facilities. EMRs have the greatest amount of wide ranging capabilities among all existing health information technologies, which gives rise to great potential for substantial improvements in the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare services. Furthermore, they also can lower healthcare costs.
Electronic health record systems can pave the way to improved information flow, timely access to clinical information, improved patient safety, and better monitoring of the quality of care being provided. Through integrated EMR systems, each patient can have just one record that can be seen by all members of their healthcare team, which can promote patients to receive care when it’s necessary and avoid care when it’s unnecessary. This is especially important in light of the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases which require continuity of care and may involve coordination between multiple healthcare providers.
The hospital system in my locality, Trillium Health Partners, one of the largest community-based hospital systems in Canada, serving West Toronto and Mississauga, has recently implemented Epic – an innovative electronic medical record system, following the footsteps of other top hospitals in Canada and worldwide to transform care delivery. To date, it is the most widely used and comprehensive digital medical record system. Epic will be the single system at Trillium Health Partners, and other hospital systems, in place of multiple systems. The implementation at Trillium Health Partners began during COVID-19, which provided challenges to keep patients and health professionals’ safe in addition to the challenges associated with the implementation of a new complex system, however, was important to help manage the outbreaks within the hospitals and move forward with advancing overall care delivery and management.
I have been working as part of the implementation team as a Hospital Information System Support Associate to support physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, unit coordination assistants, and other end-users with their transition to the new system. This supportive role worked to empower the end-users to deliver high quality care through the innovative hospital information system and work through system and user issues that arise during patient care and management, which if not resolved could detract time from patient care and clinical duties. Despite the complexities and challenges of the system which were stressful for users to experience during the implementation, the system has great potential to advance patient care through healthcare providers having access to comprehensive patient overviews and multidimensional data visualizations which could assist with monitoring patient data over time, more legible data communicated across healthcare teams which can help reduce medical errors, the ability to create patient care plans and assess progress made, and improved management and monitoring of patients with chronic diseases.
There is increasing evidence that the health systems of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) can be strengthened by the use of EHRs. More widespread implementation of electronic patient health record systems in these settings is important as it can help mitigate issues associated with sub-optimally trained staff and lack of equipment. Electronic medical records would prove especially useful for the high trauma and infectious disease rates in LMICs as it can enable adequate documentation for effective follow-up necessary for positive health outcomes. Although challenges exist with obtaining funding and at the implementation phase of the systems, it can prove to be more cost-efficient in the long-run.
There is an increasing uptake of EMR systems worldwide however gaps remain. The management of patient health records is challenging in all countries and for every disease, especially for diseases that need care continuity between patients and providers. EMRs can redefine the way healthcare is delivered, and improve care coordination, healthcare quality and its evaluation. EMRs can lead the way to safer, more effective and efficient healthcare delivery and management. It is important for users of EHR systems to acquire proficiency in their use in order to realize their full potential and avoid unintended outcomes. Regardless of location, integrated EMR systems have potential to improve patient experience and promote better health outcomes in every healthcare setting.
About the Author
Amanda Marcinowska is a graduate student in Family Medicine and Primary Care at McGill University, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine. Prior to graduate studies, Amanda completed a BSc in Biology for Health Sciences and Psychology at the University of Toronto. She currently is working as a Hospital Information System Support Associate at Trillium Health Partners to help healthcare professionals transition to a new electronic medical records system.