Swot Analysis

EHRs can be used to prevent medication errors through the monitoring of drugs that have been flagged as recalled or potentially harmful to a patient. Medical professionals can be notified of this information if they are trying to prescribe a recalled medication to a patient. It would also be resourceful if an alternative option is given to the professional so they are not putting the life of the patient at risk by not having any medication for their illness at all. According to the reading, there are a large number of medications that have been administered to patients that have been proven to be potentially harmful to the public. The EHR can be helpful in keeping track of what patient was given a particular medication and when. This may help prevent the use of a medication that is classified as a recall. Once a medication is flagged the prescribing of this medication can be prevented.

The EHR system can be even more valuable when using the e-prescribing feature. Physicians can avoid giving patients medication that will interfere with another medication the patient is taking. It can give the physician an alternative to prescribe. The patient’s information necessary to this duty as well such as a list of the medications and prescribed dosing is also available. The physician will also have access to any other important information such as any allergies the patient may have that will prevent them from taking a certain medication. The EHR can also advise the prescribing physician of new medications that are approved. This keeps them up to date on medications for specific illnesses. Being that the information is system based it will also be current giving the physician a greater chance to offer the best care possible for their patient. The HER system can let the physician know which pharmacy has the specific medication and if it is available for the patient. This gives the patient the opportunity to bypass a long wait or to be told they do not carry what they need.