EHR Implementation Impact

EHR Implementation Impact

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

The chief information officer (CIO) of CTU (Colorado Technical University) Health Care wants you, the manager of the information systems department, to ensure that the employees within your department are aware of the challenges facing the department since the implementation of the electronic health record (EHR). Discuss the following:

Discuss 5 major challenges that are currently facing the department.
Discuss the impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) on these challenges.

Note: Use APA style, and cite at least 2 scholarly references published within the last 5 years.

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APA

The implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) has revolutionized the way healthcare institutions manage patient data. While it has significantly improved patient care and streamlined operations, it has also presented several challenges that the department must address. As the manager of the information systems department at Colorado Technical University (CTU) Health Care, I will discuss five major challenges faced by the department after the EHR implementation and analyze the impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) on these challenges.

1. Data Security and Privacy Concerns

One of the primary challenges faced by the department after implementing EHR is ensuring the security and privacy of patient data. EHR systems store a vast amount of sensitive patient information, which makes them a target for cyberattacks and unauthorized access. According to recent studies, healthcare organizations remain prime targets for data breaches (Li, et al., 2019). The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) plays a pivotal role in addressing this challenge, as it mandates strict privacy and security measures to protect patient health information. The department must comply with HIPAA regulations, which require encryption, access controls, and continuous monitoring to ensure that patient data is secure.

2. Interoperability Issues

Another significant challenge is the lack of interoperability between different EHR systems. Healthcare organizations often use different EHR platforms that are not always compatible with one another, leading to…