Question

When completing the ePCR, it is important to be aware that ___________.

1) A written patient care report will need to be completed on arrival at the hospital.
2) The ePCR does not contain the same level of information as the written version and your verbal report should be expanded.
3) The ePCR allows patient information to be transmitted directly to the receiving hospital's computers.
4) The ePCR is relatively unsecured and should not contain patient-specific information.

Answer 1

An ePCR allows for the direct transmission of patient information to a hospital's computers, contains detailed patient information similarly to written reports, and typically features security measures to safeguard patient data.

Step-by-step explanation:

When completing the electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR), it is important to be aware that the ePCR allows patient information to be transmitted directly to the receiving hospital's computers. However, a misconception about ePCRs is that they contain less information than the written version; this is not typically the case as ePCRs are designed to capture detailed patient information in a structured format. Furthermore, ePCRs often have security measures in place to protect patient-specific information, contrary to the idea that they are insecure.

During the patient care process, a nurse, for instance, would review critical items aloud with the team, including confirming that the name of the procedure is recorded correctly, ensuring needle, sponge, and instrument counts are complete or noting if not applicable, verifying proper labeling of specimens with the patient's name, and identifying any issues with equipment that need to be addressed. This level of diligence is essential for both written and electronic records.