Functionalities of free and open electronic health record systems
Alejandro Enrique Flores Zuniga1, Khin Than Win, Willy Susilo
1School of Information Systems and Technology, University ofWollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. aefz871@uow.edu.au
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care
|October 27, 2010
Summary
This study evaluated open-source electronic health record (EHR) software against ISO standards. While many EHR systems meet basic structural needs, communication, privacy, and security functionalities require significant improvement.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Software Engineering
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are crucial for modern healthcare delivery.
- Open-source EHR (OpenEHR) software offers potential cost-effective solutions.
- Assessing OpenEHR functionalities against international standards is vital for adoption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the functional capabilities of open-source EHR software.
- To benchmark OpenEHR systems against International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.
- To identify gaps in OpenEHR system functionalities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ISO/TS 18308:2004 (functional requirements) and ISO/TR 20514:2005 (context) as evaluation frameworks.
- Selected and assessed twelve distinct open-source EHR systems.
- Employed a two-dimensional criteria approach for comprehensive analysis.
Main Results:
- OpenEHR systems largely satisfy structural, procedural, evolutional, and medicolegal requirements.
- Communication, privacy, and security functionalities are met in less than 23% of cases, often at a minimal level.
- Ethical, cultural, and consumer-centric requirements remain largely unaddressed in current open-source EHR applications.
Conclusions:
- Most evaluated open-source EHR systems exhibit functional limitations.
- Open-source EHRs present a viable option for healthcare providers, particularly in developing nations.
- Identified functional gaps are expected to drive future development and enhancements in open-source EHR systems.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Methods of Documentation VII: EMR
Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) primarily center around electronically documenting patients' health information within a single healthcare organization or practice. They contain essential clinical data related to a patient's medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, lab results, and other pertinent information relevant to the specific encounter or episode of care. EMRs are designed to streamline documentation and workflow processes within individual healthcare settings,...
01:30Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System
Health Information Technology (HIT)
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
01:29Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System
The issues and trends in healthcare delivery are constantly changing. The COVID-19 pandemic is one recent issue that wreaked havoc on healthcare systems, causing a shortage of healthcare workers, high demand for medicines and supplies, and increased medical expenditure due to a lack of insurance. Other issues include rising healthcare costs and care fragmentation.
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
01:11Purpose of Health Records I
The vital purpose of health records is to provide a complete and accurate account of a patient's medical history, including communication, diagnostic and therapeutic orders, care planning, research, and quality review.
Here's a breakdown of how health records serve these purposes:
Here's a breakdown of how health records serve these purposes:
01:19Purpose of Health Records II
Health records serve various essential purposes in the healthcare system. Here are some key purposes:
01:20Integrated Healthcare System
An integrated healthcare system (IHS) is a set of organizations that provides for or arranges to provide coordinated and continuous service to a defined population. The IHS takes responsibility for that particular population's health status and outcome, both clinically and fiscally. An integrated healthcare system is a well-organized, well-coordinated, and collaborative network. The integrated delivery system is a network that connects different healthcare providers to deliver organized,...