Question

Which statement is a safe principle of computerized charting?

1. It is acceptable to chart in advance of care being given.
2. Each unit or department has its own password.
3. There is no room for mistakes in computerized charting.
4. Do not leave patient information displayed on the monitor.

Answer 1

The correct principle for computerized charting is to not leave patient information on display. Additionally, policies on health records must balance patient privacy, access to health records for providers, and the implications for healthcare costs and patient quality of life.

Step-by-step explanation:

The safe principle of computerized charting out of the options provided is: Do not leave patient information displayed on the monitor.

Charting in advance of care is not a safe practice as care plans may change. While each unit or department may have its own password, this does not inherently make charting safe. It is unrealistic to believe there is no room for mistakes in computerized charting; humans operate and input information into these systems which always allows room for error.

When creating policies around health records, a careful balance is needed between multiple factors. Here are three questions that need to be considered:

1. How can we ensure patient privacy while still allowing for the efficient exchange of health records between providers?
2. What measures are in place to prevent unauthorized access to electronic health records?
3. How will these policies impact the overall cost of healthcare treatments and the quality of life for patients?