How health information technology helps those affected by Alzheimer’s
http://www.alzheimers-illinois.org/enewsletter/may2013/electronic_records.asp
Chicago resident Patricia Joseph learned the value of electronic health records during the many changes that came when her mother, Elma Claire Joseph, developed Alzheimer’s disease.
During her last three years, Joseph went through a number of transitions — from her house to the emergency room to a handful of hospital stays. Eventually, she moved into a nursing facility in her home state of Pennsylvania.
Because of an established electronic healthcare records system where her mother lived, her daughter felt reassured in the knowledge that Joseph’s caregivers could easily access up-to-date and complete information about her condition as well as recent test results.
Chicago resident Patricia Joseph learned the value of electronic health records during the many changes that came when her mother, Elma Claire Joseph, developed Alzheimer’s disease.
During her last three years, Joseph went through a number of transitions — from her house to the emergency room to a handful of hospital stays. Eventually, she moved into a nursing facility in her home state of Pennsylvania.
Because of an established electronic healthcare records system where her mother lived, her daughter felt reassured in the knowledge that Joseph’s caregivers could easily access up-to-date and complete information about her condition as well as recent test results.
There can be many transitions and changes involved when someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Today, most health care providers write medical information on paper charts that are difficult to share with other care providers, according to the Illinois Health Information Exchange, a statewide electronic network for sharing clinical and administrative data among health care providers in the state. Patricia Joseph currently sits on the agency’s consumer education work group, which provides comment, education and development of standards regarding the electronic transfer of personal health information.
Health information technology eliminates the paper shuffling, photocopying, faxing and back-and-forth phone calls that have been an inefficient part of managing healthcare during times of transition until now.
Following are examples of how health care information technology can help caregivers and others affected by dementia.
Easy access
When a doctor adds medical notes or test results to a health record electronically, that information is available to other health care providers. This includes the most up-to-date and comprehensive information about conditions, procedures and tests. Some doctors may also provide access to health records by computer for patients and those who care for them, eliminating the need to get test results or other information by phone.
Having records available electronically is also helpful if an individual needs medical assistance while away from home.
Less paperwork
When doctors are able to share health information electronically, there is no need to answer the same questions about medical history several times on different forms. All doctors will be able to access the same information.
Faster and safer prescriptions
When a doctor sends prescriptions electronically to the drugstore, sometimes called e-prescribing, medicine can be ready for pickup at the store or sent directly to the person. E-prescribing also decreases errors caused by illegible handwriting.
Fewer tests
When test results are in electronic records, all doctors involved are able to review the most up-to-date information. This means doctors won’t need to order more tests unnecessarily, saving time and money.
Health care reminders
Doctors can use electronic health records with reminder systems. This allows them to follow up in a timely way as well as remind a patient about upcoming appointments, the need to take medication or other ways to improve health.
The Illinois Health Information Exchange recommends those seeking electronic health