Electronic Health Records: Improving America’s Health Care
The nation is entering a new era of health care where patients and doctors can use
electronic health records to improve health and the way health care is delivered in this country.
Benefits
Electronic health records make it possible for you and your doctors to better manage your care through secure use and sharing of health information. With electronic health records, doctors can have:
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More accurate and complete information about your health and health care, enabling them to provide you with the best possible care.
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The ability to better coordinate your care and your family’s care, as health information can be shared electronically and in a fast and convenient way.
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Information to help them diagnose your health problems, reduce medical errors, and provide safer care at lower costs.
Electronic health records also allow you to experience more convenient care. For example, you won’t likely have to spend time filling out or answering the same questions about your health every time you visit the doctor or hospital, and you will be notified when you or your child needs preventive care such as vaccinations.
About Privacy and Security
Privacy and security are vital to a successful switch to electronic health records. People’s health information is protected under a law called the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law:
One security feature of electronic health records is that they include an audit trail that shows who has looked at them.
The government is continuing to develop rules about the privacy and security of personal health information.
