Health care is not what it used to be. With EHR software and other technology required by the Meaningful Use program, engagement has become a main goal of health care. The 26th Annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Leadership Survey had approximately 72 percent of IT professionals respond that patient considerations, including engagement, quality of care and satisfaction, topped their list of priorities for the next two years.
Increasing patient safety
Two-thirds of the survey's participants responded that they already use technology to improve quality of care and patient satisfaction. The patient portal and EHR software contribute to an increase in both of those areas.
As part of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology's "HIT Patient Safety Action & Surveillance Plan," one of the goals is to use MU and the National Quality Strategy to promote patient care through EHRs. Through the use of nine "Safety Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience Guides," health care providers can ensure that they are meeting patient needs in secure ways. They can then create protocols for system configuration, patient identification, test reporting and follow-ups, among others.
EHRs also allow doctors to monitor their patients' health and care through reports and notifications. Physicians' Alliance, Ltd. has its software set up to alert medical professionals of upcoming medications, tests and exams, as well as to inform them of any inconsistencies in patients' medical histories, EHR Intelligence explained. The program can detect if patients have not received certain immunizations, cancer screenings and tests for certain conditions. For people with chronic diseases, EHR software knows if they have seen their specialists or reported for tests to help manage their illnesses. The system ensures that patients receive quality care by keeping up-to-date records and notifying physicians of any discrepancies.
Improving patient engagement
A majority of respondents – 87 percent – to the HIMSS' survey reported that they had patient portals in place that were necessary to stay in touch with patients. Prior to , phone calls and in-person visits were the only methods for contact between patients and doctors outside of the hospital or practice. However, with the implementation portals, lines of communication are always open.
"We had a struggle early on with our patient portal," Victoria Martell, quality initiatives coordinator at PAL, told EHR Intelligence. "We struggled with having patients wanting to utilize the patient portal. Over time, they have seen the benefits of it and use it a lot now."
The use of online portals increase patient engagement by allowing for contact outside the office. Through email, video conferencing, EHRs and data sharing, patients and doctors can do the same things that they do during in-person appointments. This always-on system permits patients to discuss any health concerns with their physicians even outside of working hours.
Patient-doctor relationships are important for the medical system to operate smoothly. With the implementation of health IT, doctors can ensure that patient safety, satisfaction and engagement rank high on their list of priorities.
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Ronny Bachrach
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