Question

Which of the following is not an advantage of the integration of ancillary programs for labs and other diagnostic and therapeutic services with an EHR system?

1) Test results are transmitted to the healthcare provider's office as soon as they are available.
2) Orders can be submitted to the lab at the time the patient appointment is made.
3) Results can be faxed, scanned, or e-mailed as necessary.
4) Patients do not have to wait as long for lab or diagnostic appointments.
5) The patient and practitioner do not have to wait as long for test results.

Answer 1

Option 3, which involves faxing, scanning, or emailing results, is not an advantage of EHR integration as it contrasts with the aim of EHR systems to enhance efficiency and security of patient data handling.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the options provided, option 3: Results can be faxed, scanned, or e-mailed as necessary, is not an advantage of the integration of ancillary programs with an Electronic Health Records (EHR) system. The core idea of an EHR system is to digitally streamline and integrate all patient data and workflows, specifically aiming at reducing the need for outdated and less-secure methods of communication like faxing, scanning, or emailing documents. Healthcare professionals can access real-time test results, which enhances efficiency and minimizes the document handling errors of older transmission methods.

Integrating ancillary programs in healthcare helps in delivering faster services, from the placement of lab orders to the reception of test results. This integration is essential in a mass production and efficiency model that defines modern healthcare. An EHR system makes the process seamless and secure, reducing the delay in starting treatments, a major concern addressed by the utilization of technologies such as lab-on-a-chip. Moreover, it helps in minimizing prescription errors in urgent cases where empirical evidence is pivotal, especially in an era of increased drug resistance.