Importance of Emr

Introduction

The Canadian health care sector is undergoing an exceptional transformation with

the introduction of Electronic Patient Records (EPR). EPR is now the bases for providing

health care in many countries. This paper addresses Romaonow’s recommendations on EPR

and evaluates both Health Accords (2003 and 2004) implementations relating to EPR. EPR

represents the core and essential component of electronic health (e-Health). The Romanow

report (RR) summarizes its recommendations into three major connected issues: implementing

health information technologies (HIT) particularly EPR, putting in place effective HIT

assessment practices and procedures, and integrating and enriching Canada’s health knowledge

base by broadening our health research capability (Ramonow 2002, p76).

First, the RR proposes the development of personal EPR for every Canadian (Ramonow

2002, p76). The basic rational for this is that the current and mostly paper-based patient

information is outdated, redundant, inefficient, and impedes research and the integration and

sharing of information. Second, the RR recommends a continuous leading role for Canada

Health Infoway (CHI) in implementing HIT, promoting HIT literacy and dealing with security

standards and privacy policies (Ramonow 2002, p76). In support of this, the report argues that

given out continuous resources to CHI places it in a better position to effectively lead HIT

initiatives in Canada. Third, given the intended audience of EPR, the RR recommends that

Canadians should take ownership of their personal health information (PHI). Also, given the

vulnerability of electronic information, proper security measures are needed to protect PHI.

This, the report argues, would require an amendment to the Criminal Code to make violation

of PHI a criminal offense (Ramonow 2002, p76). Fourth, given the rapidity of technological

innovations, the safety and effectiveness of HIT is... [continues]

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