Electronic health records contain abbreviations throughout p

Electronic health records contain abbreviations throughout patient records and information systems. Various specialties have developed a collection of commonly used abbreviations that are not recognizable to those not working within that specialty. Additionally, many healthcare facilities and physicians provide their staff with a list of \"approved\" abbreviations. Further The Joint Commission (TJC) has issued a list of abbreviations, acronyms and symbols that should no longer be used. As a healthcare manager of a clinic, you must address the use of abbreviations with your staff due to errors in patient care.

Please prepare a 2 page memo directing your staff on the use or non-use of abbreviations within the patients\' health records. You must support your position.

Think about the following when preparing your memo:

•Is it okay to use abbreviations? Why or why not?

•Will your clinic use standard abbreviations? Why or why not?

Solution

Abbreviation are used to save time and space while writting the patients records. Many of the companies have developed a collection of commonly used abbreviation.

1. Yes it is okay to use the abbreviation in the medical records, so that there can be some standarization in the language used by the medical representative. However it is also needed to maintain the privacy in the profession as in case if patient is able to understand all the terms they will explore more and can get misleaded

2. The use of standard abbreviation is very important. This will help everyone to maintain the universal language and understanding between the various other clinics as well.

This will also help all doctors to be on the same page while studying the reports.