Integration of Electronic Health Records (EHR) in Nursing Practiceand Nursing Research: Challenges and Opportunities
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- Category: Vol. 84, December 2016
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Integration of Electronic Health Records (EHR) in Nursing Practiceand Nursing Research: Challenges and Opportunities
Abstract
Background: The shift from paper-based to electronic health records (EHRs) presents both significant opportunities and challenges for nurse researchers. The HITECH Act, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, incen-tivizes the adoption of EHRs to improve patient care through Meaningful Use (MU) standards. However, the transition has complicated access to and analysis of patient data. Aim: This paper explores the implications of using HER data in nursing research, focusing on the opportunities and challenges faced by non-informatics nurse researchers. Methods: A review of existing literature and case studies was conducted to identify key challenges and opportunities as-sociated with EHR data usage in nursing research. The analysis included the evaluation of EHR implementation, data integrity, security, display, and the impact on research methodologies. Results: EHRs offer significant advantages such as en-hanced data analytics, individualized care, clinical decision support, and interdisciplinary research. However, challenges include interoperability issues, data overload, clinician burnout, training deficiencies, and ethical concerns regarding patient pri-vacy. Additionally, financial constraints, resistance to change, and human factors affecting EHR usability were identified as critical barriers. Conclusion: EHRs present a transformative opportunity for nursing research, enabling advanced analytics and personalized care. However, addressing the associated challenges through comprehensive strategies and continuous improvement efforts is essential to fully realize their potential in enhancing nursing science and patient care.