*new* 12Feb13 Reduction in Health Care costs
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/us/politics/sharp-slowdown-in-us-health-care-costs.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130212&_r=0
Electronic Medical Records Systems have not reduced costs http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/11/business/electronic-records-systems-have-not-reduced-health-costs-report-says.html?smid=pl-share
I happen to be a huge advocate for technology, I tend to understand it very well and am almost always able to figure things out easily. However I am not the type of person that agrees with "keeping up with the Jones." but that is a whole other unrelated topic. I think that for the most part technology is a very good thing and has made a lot of peoples lives easier and better. Examples of these are increases in bioengineering for prosthetics, making cars safer, and many other things. In this case it seems technology is not working out so well for the time being. The fact that there is evidence that the cost of electronic medical records have not only not improved, but also has gotten worse since it went electronic is saying something. But I am going to stay optimistic and say that just like anything technological if there is something released that is new, then it is not perfect. I think that the project of electronic medical records should simply be not used for the time being. The companies working on this project simply need to work out the kinks in the system. Why do you think your computer needs updates or new operating systems are made? Such as going from windows vista to windows7. Its because the companies are constantly fixing kinks in the system to make it better and I feel that the same thing needs to happen here. So I suggest to not use electronic medical records for the time being, but I feel just like many things in our future, it will be permanently electronic and it will be for the best.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Jimmy. With the numerous advances in technology it is crucial that we do not waste money, time, and resources. Our debt is growing by the day and our increase in technology may be the only thing to get us out of the hole. However, I am not ignorant to the fact the it takes money to make money. That being said we need to draw the line somewhere. We need to use smart money to simultaneously improve technology and decrease debt. therefore I feel the electronic medical records should not be used at this time
ReplyDeleteExactly, wasting time, money and resources in the end, doesn't really benefit anyone since its resources that could be used further down the line for some greater project or for a bigger benefit. The debt of our country today is a large one and is growing bigger every day, we do not need to be wasting anymore money on things than we already are. IN fact, we need to find a better way to use our money and our resources so it last longer and is used in the most effective way possible. Like brent said, it does take money to make money and i completely understand this fact. I just think there is a much smarter way to use our money and a smarter way to make money than we are currently doing. We need to do things smartly to make better technology, decrease our debt. Why use electronic medical records right now when what we have is working? Sure, we could better the system so records don't get lost and are easier to read or find. But wouldn't that be something better tackled at a later date in time? I mean there are so many more important issues in our world today than this one, and i'm not saying that this isn't an issue because it is, i'm just saying there are some things more important that need to be taken care of first. And those are the things we should focus on before focusing on the smaller issues.
ReplyDeleteComing from a hospital based job I find the use of electronic charting and "patient databases" . Not only is it costly as the article states but the databases aren't very user friendly... What I mean is that ok paper charts were probably a horrible way of doing things but there was the ability to actually go into your pts room and not be staring at a screen the whole time when asking questions... This even happens at doctors offices too! I understand the need to have a universal database but it needs to be cost efficient and allow for actual face to face time with a pt instead of charting for an hour straight
ReplyDeleteIt is nice that there is all of this electronic charting, so that way everything is in one place when you need it. Even though it is so expensive, maybe it will equal out in the long run when there are less mistakes being made on the floor. Although, I do agree with Lauren that you would end up being more concentrated on the database, typing, and trying to figure everything out than you would actually try to get to know the patient. With less face to face contact healthcare providers could start overlooking things which would cost more in the long run. I think that the databases are good, but they need to make sure their focus stays on teh patient!
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