Electronic health records, which are also referred to as EHRs, are the health-care industry’s tomorrow and can be a game-changer in the end. EHRs apparently have the capacity to ultimately transform clinical experience completely. They are much more than merely or simply a convenient tool which can be used to collect client data or submit compensation applications. They are significant and vital therapeutic or clinical instruments that can be employed for a variety of purposes. Some of these various purposes are listed below:

1. EHRs can be used to enhance and improve the performance, reliability, and effectiveness of any treatment provided. 
2. It can aid in strengthening healthcare integration and making it better at the same time.
3. EHRs can also assist to eliminate inequities in wellness between different groups of people who are a part of the general society.
4. Another purpose that EHRs can be used for is to include clients as well as their relatives in their healthcare.
5. Tackling and confronting major global medical concerns and challenges can be listed as another purpose of EHRs.

If optometrists are to deliver the best possible and the required service and assistance to their customers, they must fully utilize EHRs. There are several methods and ways in which EHRs can be effectively used which have already been mentioned above. However, it has become extremely vital to utilize EHRs properly and in the correct manner in order to extract the maximum possible advantage from it. Furthermore, EHRs are at the heart of almost each and every significant or important proposal to enhance American health care and make it better than it used to be previously. As a result, if optometrists are to remain a vital part of America’s healthcare system, effective employment of EHRs will indeed be required.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services or the HHS is developing and in the middle of constructing the Nationwide Health Information Network or the NHIN to enable electronic health records (EHRs) to be available and open to all Americans and the citizens by the end of2014. The government has put in place a variety of measures, including the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act or the ARRA inducement scheme. This entire step was taken with the intention to promote and incentivize the speedy and proper adoption of EHR technologies in health care organizations and their optimum use in improving customer service. This would not only lead to the overall development of the healthcare industry prevalent in the world, but also help in making proper health care services, as and when required by the customers, available and accessible to all individuals in the country.

The American Optometric Association, also referred to as the AOA, has been successful in creating a thorough and robust Electronic Health Records Preparedness Program for Optometry to assist professionals in quickly implementing EHR systems and software while also using it skillfully and successfully to help individuals all over,  ultimately leading to an enhanced overall quality of healthcare.

The American Optometric Association’s Health Information Technology and Telemedicine Committee advises optometrists to familiarize themselves with the key as well as pertinent factual data and information concerning the government’s intended advancement of a comprehensive national EHR system, as well as the motivation initiatives intended to start encouraging practitioner engagement (see “Ten Things Optometrists Should Know About EHRs”). The commission thus recommends optometrists to reacquaint themselves with the crucial details surrounding the government’s scheduled implementation of the national EHR system. 

The AOA Health Information Technology and Telemedicine Committee further also advises optometrists to be mindful of important milestones for EHR reward systems and the NHIN establishment (see “EHR Deadlines”). It therefore encourages optometrists to be familiar with the major time frames for EHR inducement schemes.

Above everything else and most importantly, the group advises and instructs optometrists to create a plan and devise a clear and workable framework for the proper and correct implementation of EHR technologies. The AOA Health Information Technology and Telemedicine Committee further encourages optometrists to make use of EHR methods to increase care delivery and patient safety (see “Ten Things Every Optometric Practice Should Do Now to Implement EHRs”). In the Reference area below, anyone who wants can get access to comprehensive data and information about EHR installation and reward scheme involvement. 

The committee additionally recommends optometrists to compare and contrast the many Electronic health record technologies which are available in the industry to see and finally understand which one best suits their purposes and is the ideal one that fits perfectly.

Just like everything has its advantages and disadvantages, Electronic record systems have their disadvantages as well, even if they aren’t that many present. For instance, EHR technology can lead to a reduction in an individual’s productivity or can lead to anxiety if an ineffective product is employed. Not all technological advancements are represented equally. You’ll need an Electronic health record system with a functionality that will assist you address practical problems as well as achieve long-term corporate objectives.

Discovering EHR and practice management software for optometrists that has robust data security features is important to delivering high patient safety. Search for an EHR with constructed capability that complies with HIPAA’s standards for access privileges, confidentiality, and protection.

The AOA Advocacy Group’s Health Information Technology web page (www.aoa.org/HIT.xml) has relevant data on government laws and policy that affects Electronic health records (EHRs)

EHR@aoa.org is the address for AOA affiliates with queries on EHR deployment as well as the employment of Electronic health records (EHRs) to improve patient care and lead to better outcomes in the end.