The impact of electronic health records on patient care and outcomes: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have revolutionized healthcare delivery, offering numerous benefits for patient care and outcomes. This comprehensive review examines the impact of EHRs on patient care and outcomes, highlighting key findings from existing literature. EHRs have significantly improved patient care by enhancing accessibility and accuracy of patient information. With EHRs, healthcare providers can easily access patient records, including medical history, medications, and lab results, leading to more informed decision-making and improved coordination of care. EHRs also facilitate communication among healthcare providers, enabling better care coordination and reducing medical errors. Moreover, EHRs have been shown to improve patient outcomes by supporting evidence-based practices and clinical decision-making. EHRs can provide alerts and reminders for preventive care and screenings, helping healthcare providers adhere to best practices and guidelines. Additionally, EHRs enable real-time monitoring of patient data, allowing for early detection of potential health issues and timely interventions. Despite these benefits, challenges remain in the implementation and use of EHRs. Issues such as interoperability, data security, and provider burnout need to be addressed to fully realize the potential of EHRs in improving patient care and outcomes. In conclusion, EHRs have had a transformative impact on patient care and outcomes, improving accessibility, accuracy, and coordination of care. However, ongoing efforts are needed to address challenges and ensure the effective use of EHRs in healthcare delivery.