Electronic Health Records

The Need for Electronic Health Records

Vermont is regarded as one of the healthiest states in the nation, ranked #1 in 2009 in the annual list compiled by the United Health Foundation. We’re proud of the quality of health care delivered in Vermont, and the expansion of health insurance availability for Vermonters that we’ve been able to achieve. But there is still an opportunity to make the care we receive even better. The health care industry in the U.S. has been slow to use technology for storing and sharing health information. Electronic health records (EHRs) will update and improve our health care system, similar to how technology improved the banking industry. Here’s how.

Currently, your health care information may be scattered among many different providers, in many different formats.

Before EHRs
Whenever you visit a health care provider -- your primary care physician, the hospital emergency department, or your pharmacy – information is recorded about the services you received and your health. This information may be in the form of paper charts, images (x-rays and CT scans), prescription slips, or transcribed notes. It is hard to retrieve information stored on paper quickly and share it between health care practitioners.

With EHRs
EHRs allow your critical health information to be accessed by every authorized health care provider, quickly and at any time of the day, even when a physician’s office or pharmacy is closed.

Before EHRs
You may see computers used at some places where you receive health care. Though these computers store your health information, chances are that information is not shared outside the facility. Very few Vermont health care organizations are electronically connected to each other. That means your health information is not readily available when it is needed most – such as during an emergency department visit. Complications may arise because your health care practitioner could be missing critical information about you.  

With EHRs
EHRs can be connected to the Vermont Health Information Exchange, a secure statewide network that enables practitioners to share health information about their patients. Though practitioners have access to more data about you, that information remains confidential.

Health care providers need accurate information to give the best quality of care.

Before EHRs
Health care practitioners are sometimes hindered by having access to only part of a patient’s health history. They may not know about tests and procedures done in other facilities. In some cases, such as an unconscious patient who arrives by ambulance at the emergency department, there may be no health history available at all. Other times, patients may simply forget to tell their health care practitioners about a medication they are taking or a past medical problem.

With EHRs
With EHRs making more patient information available, physicians and other health care practitioners can arrive at a more accurate diagnosis more quickly. This is especially true for Vermonters who see multiple health care providers or have complex medical conditions. With better information to go on, practitioners can recommend to patients the most effective treatments.

The video below explains the work that VITL is doing to help Vermont's health care providers with EHRs.