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Final Project Review

Andrea Wright

Southern New Hampshire University

Healthcare Data Management

May 11, 2025

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Organizational Overview

Description of the Organization

Healthcare Organization Alpha has 150 total hospital beds. It includes a Level III

designated trauma center. There are five beds for intensive care patients. Alpha provides many

medical and surgical services. Services include outpatient and orthopedic surgeries for patients.

Women’s health and pediatric care are available. Alpha also offers specialized cardiology care

services. Five family practice clinics serve local community needs. Two internal medicine clinics

address adult patient concerns. Specialty clinics include cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics.

Additional services include eye and women’s health clinics. Outpatient rehab and wellness

programs promote community health.

Scope of Services:

Alpha offers inpatient and outpatient healthcare services. It also provides surgical care

across multiple disciplines. Specialty care is included in its service portfolio. The hospital

integrates many clinics and programs daily. Five family practice clinics support primary care

services. Two internal medicine clinics treat adult patients' needs. Cardiology and neurology

clinics offer ongoing specialized consultations. The orthopedic clinic focuses on sports medicine

treatments. Eye care and women’s health provide focused services. A pediatrics clinic addresses

child health needs regularly. Outpatient rehab promotes rapid patient recovery of strength.

Community wellness programs encourage healthy living practices daily. These diverse services

require efficient data management systems. A robust EHR system ensures seamless information

sharing. Seamless integration is critical for care coordination success.

Key Stakeholders in EHR Selection:

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Executive leaders guide strategy, budgeting, and system alignment. They ensure

organizational goals support EHR implementation success. Clinical staff use EHRs for daily

patient care. Their feedback helps improve clinical functionality and safety. Physicians and

nurses rely on accurate, timely data. Allied health professionals also contribute to critical care

documentation. The IT department manages the EHR system maintenance daily. They support

integration and troubleshoot technical issues quickly (Laurisz et al., 2023). HIM professionals

oversee coding, privacy, and documentation accuracy. Their work always supports compliance

with healthcare regulations. Billing teams rely on an integrated EHR for payments. Financial

data must sync for accurate reimbursement processing. Patients use portals for appointments,

records, and messages. Their feedback shapes user-friendly, patient-centered design

improvements. EHR success depends on teamwork and user input (Laurisz et al., 2023).

Design: Applications

Health Informatics Applications:

Clinical Decision Support Systems give real-time alerts instantly. These alerts help

improve clinical decisions and safety (Sutton et al., 2020). Reminders guide providers toward

evidence-based patient care. CPOE allows direct entry of medical orders. It helps reduce

transcription errors and delays daily. Physicians use CPOE for labs and prescriptions. Electronic

prescribing improves medication accuracy and efficiency overall. It reduces handwriting errors

and pharmacy delays daily. Patient portals provide access to personal health records. Patients can

schedule visits and message providers easily. Mobile health apps allow remote health monitoring

now. They support virtual visits and telehealth care services. Technology enhances safety,

communication, and care efficiency (Sutton et al., 2020).

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Regulatory Requirements

HIPAA compliance protects the confidentiality of all patient health data. It ensures the

security of personal medical information always. Healthcare workers must follow HIPAA rules

without exception. Violations lead to serious penalties and trust loss. The HITECH Act

encourages EHR system implementation nationwide. It supports meaningful use to improve

patient outcomes (Edemekong et al., 2024). HITECH offers incentives for adopting certified

EHR systems. Providers must show they use EHRs effectively. CMS regulations define proper

documentation for reimbursement eligibility. Accurate records ensure compliance with CMS

billing standards. These rules promote transparency and reduce healthcare fraud. CMS requires

timely reporting of care quality metrics. Meeting regulations supports funding and operational

integrity. Compliance safeguards privacy and supports better patient care (Edemekong et al.,

2024).

Scope of Functionality:

Patient care alerts improve safety during medical decisions. They notify providers of

allergies or lab abnormalities. These alerts help prevent dangerous medication interactions

quickly. Immediate warnings support faster intervention in critical situations. Clinical guidelines

are embedded into electronic health records. These guidelines ensure care follows proven

medical protocols. Standardization reduces treatment variation among different providers (Uslu

& Stausberg, 2021). Evidence-based care improves patient outcomes and reliability.

Documentation templates simplify healthcare workers’ daily recordkeeping tasks. Templates

ensure consistency across various patient medical records. Structured documentation supports

faster data entry during care. Uniform records improve communication across departments and

staff. These tools enhance safety, accuracy, and care efficiency (Uslu & Stausberg, 2021).
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Secondary Data Needs:

Quality metrics track performance and highlight care gaps. These metrics support

targeted quality improvement strategies. Organizations use data to meet regulatory benchmarks.

Research data is stripped of personal identifiers. This information helps in developing clinical

evidence. Researchers analyze trends to improve healthcare practices. Public health reporting

ensures disease tracking and control. Data is submitted to local health departments regularly.

Reporting supports population health management efforts. It also helps meet legal reporting

requirements (Uslu & Stausberg, 2021).

Health Information Exchange (HIE)

The EHR must support recognized interoperability standards. HL7 and FHIR enable

smooth data sharing. These standards ensure consistent communication between systems.

External system access enhances coordinated care delivery. It improves patient safety and record

continuity. Interoperability is essential for efficient healthcare teamwork (Holmgren et al., 2023).

Security Features

Internal threats need strong role-based access controls. Only authorized users should

access sensitive information. Audit trails track all system activity logs. User authentication

confirms identity before granting access. These tools prevent internal data misuse effectively.

External threats require advanced cybersecurity defenses too. Firewalls block unauthorized

outside network access. Intrusion detection systems identify suspicious digital behavior.

Encryption protects data in transit or storage. These safeguards defend against dangerous

cyberattacks. Together, they secure the healthcare information system. Patient data stays

protected from all threats (Holmgren et al., 2023).

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Disaster and Recovery Planning:

Regular data backups protect against information loss. Redundant systems maintain

operations during system failures. Disaster recovery plans ensure quick system restoration.

Backups should be done daily and verified. Redundant servers support continuous data access

always. Recovery plans prepare for natural or cyber disasters. These actions safeguard data

during emergencies. Data integrity and availability remain fully protected (Holmgren et al.,

2023).

Computer-Assisted Coding (CAC)

CAC tools use natural language processing for analysis. They examine clinical

documentation to identify key details. These tools suggest accurate codes based on findings.

They enhance efficiency by automating the coding process. CAC tools improve coding accuracy

by reducing human error. They streamline workflows for coding professionals. The tools support

consistency in code assignment. They also save time by speeding up coding. Overall, CAC tools

optimize coding efficiency and accuracy.

Design: EHR Selection

Epic Systems is a suitable choice for Alpha. It supports hospitals and multi-specialty

clinics effectively. Epic offers comprehensive solutions for diverse healthcare needs. It ensures

seamless integration across various departments. Epic meets the complex needs of a large

facility. It aligns with CMS regulations and quality reporting. Epic supports meaningful use

criteria for compliance (Chishtie et al., 2023). The system enables value-based care initiatives. A

cloud-based EHR is recommended for Alpha. Cloud models offer scalability for future growth.

Reduced infrastructure costs are a key benefit. Remote access capabilities are crucial for
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flexibility. A cloud-based EHR enables easy access across locations. Epic’s system ensures

efficient care coordination and reporting. It supports Alpha’s diverse service lines with ease

(Chishtie et al., 2023).

Patient-Centered Technology:

Epic's MyChart portal empowers patients with easy access. Patients can view health

records, test results, and appointments. The portal enables direct communication with healthcare

providers. This enhances patient engagement and involvement in care. The EHR interface should

be intuitive and user-friendly. Customizable dashboard views should cater to different user roles.

This design improves navigation and access to relevant information. Voice recognition can

streamline data entry and improve accuracy. Mobile compatibility enhances usability and

provides flexibility. Patients can manage their health remotely through mobile apps. The system

should offer secure, easy-to-use features. User feedback should guide interface improvements for

a better experience. Simplified workflows contribute to better care coordination. The EHR

should adapt to individual user preferences and needs. This ensures efficiency and user

satisfaction across roles (Vanderhout et al., 2025).

Implementation

Data Entry Approach EHR Testing:

Structured templates and standardized forms ensure consistent data capture. Dropdown menus

and checkboxes streamline documentation and reduce errors. Auto-fill features can further

enhance data entry efficiency. A phased testing approach is essential for successful EHR

implementation. Unit testing validates individual components of the system (Cheng et al., 2023).

Integration testing ensures that modules work cohesively together. User Acceptance Testing
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(UAT) gathers feedback from end-users. UAT helps identify issues and areas for improvement.

Feedback from clinicians can guide necessary system adjustments. Testing ensures the EHR

meets clinical needs and workflows. Phased testing reduces the likelihood of system failure. It

allows for troubleshooting before full deployment. Documentation of test results provides a

valuable reference for future updates. Regular testing ensures ongoing system performance and

user satisfaction.

Education and Training

Role-based training tailors programs to specific user roles. Super users are identified and trained

for ongoing support. These super users mentor and assist other staff. Continuous learning

promotes system understanding and efficiency. Refresher courses are essential for retaining

knowledge. Offering updates ensures users stay current with system changes. Training programs

are essential for smooth EHR implementation. They help staff adapt to new workflows. Super

users are key to troubleshooting and problem-solving. They serve as local experts within

departments. Continuous learning supports user confidence and system adoption. Regular

updates keep users informed about new features. Training enhances overall system usability and

effectiveness (Ting et al., 2021).

By addressing critical elements, Alpha can ensure a successful transition. The EHR system will

enhance patient care and operational efficiency. It will streamline processes and reduce errors in

documentation. Compliance with regulatory standards will be maintained throughout. The result

will be improved overall healthcare delivery and outcomes.

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References

‌Cheng, A. C., Banasiewicz, M. K., Johnson, J. D., Sulieman, L., Kennedy, N., Delacqua, F.,

Lewis, A. A., Joly, M. M., Bistran-Hall, A. J., Collins, S., Self, W. H., Shotwell, M. S.,

Lindsell, C. J., & Harris, P. A. (2023). Evaluating automated electronic case report form

data entry from electronic health records. Journal of Clinical and Translational

Science, 7(1), e29. https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2022.514

Chishtie, J., Sapiro, N., Wiebe, N., Rabatach, L., Lorenzetti, D., Leung, A. A., Rabi, D., Quan,

H., & Eastwood, C. A. (2023). Use of Epic Electronic Health Record System for Health

Care Research: Scoping Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25(1).

Edemekong, P. F., Haydel, M. J., & Annamaraju, P. (2024). Health Insurance Portability and

Accountability Act (HIPAA). National Library of Medicine.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500019/

‌Laurisz, N., Ćwiklicki, M., Żabiński, M., Canestrino, R., & Magliocca, P. (2023). The

stakeholders’ involvement in healthcare 4.0 services provision: The perspective of co-

creation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3),

2416. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032416

Holmgren, A., Esdar, M., Hüsers, J., & Coutinho-Almeida, J. (2023). Health information

exchange: Understanding the policy landscape and future of data

interoperability. Yearbook of Medical Informatics, 32(1). https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-

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Sutton, R., Pincock, D., Baumgart, D., Sadowski, D., Fedorak, R., & Kroeker, K. (2020). An

overview of clinical decision support systems: benefits, risks, and strategies for

success. NPJ Digital Medicine, 3(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-020-0221-y

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Ting, J., Garnett, A., & Donelle, L. (2021). Nursing education and training on electronic health

record systems: An integrative review. Nurse Education in Practice, 55.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103168

Uslu, A., & Stausberg, J. (2021). Value of the electronic medical record for hospital care: Update

from the literature. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(12).

https://doi.org/10.2196/26323
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