| Background: Electronic Health Record (EHR) is an evolving concept defined as a systematic collection of electronic health information about individual patients or populations. Computer-based electronic health records have become a pivotal aspect of the health care industry. Increase in the development of health information technology and use of EHR were set in motion through the development of the health information technology for economic and clinical health act (HITECH), part of the American Recovery and Reinvestments Act of 2009 (ARR). Through this act, the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services developed a set of Meaningful Use Criteria and incentive payments for eligible professionals who adopt and implement electronic health records into their practice. Providers must abide by the EHR meaningful use criteria in order to receive incentive payments through the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Beginning in 2015, providers will be penalized if they do not adhere to the CMS guidelines, so it is vital that providers utilize the EHR systems.;Methodology: A two-year retrospective study of 999 patients was conducted by researchers at the Foot Center of New York, located in an urban environment of NYC. The goal of this project was to analyze the FCNY electronic health record system, eClinical Works V-9, in order to create a database of patient demographics, conditions and treatments. In addition, suggestions were given on how to improve quality of the electronic health record in relation to the CMS Meaningful Use Incentive Program requirements.;Results: Information on common patient conditions and "no-show rates" were recorded. In addition, problems with consistency between subsequent visit charts and recording of objective data became apparent. Suggestions for an improved podiatric medical template for FCNY was described by the researchers which focused specifically on pathologies of the lower extremity. The EHR was also analyzed and determined that it met all necessary requirements for CMS Meaningful Use Criteria.;Conclusions: There are many possible benefits to widespread use of Health Information technology and electronic health records. These benefits can only be obtained through effective and efficient use of the EHR system. Suggestions for improvement are contingent upon creation of a specialty-specific template which is individualized to the personal preferences of each provider and focused to their specialized area of care. It also relies on providers utilizing all capabilities of the EHR technology. |
