Institute Of Medicine 8 Core Functions Of Ehr
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is a non-profit organization in the United States that focuses on improving public health through research, policy development, and advocacy. In 2003, the IOM released a report titled "Key Capabilities of an Electronic Health Record System" that identified eight core functions that electronic health record (EHR) systems should be able to perform. These eight core functions have become widely accepted as the standard for EHR systems in the United States.
Function 1: Health Information and Data
The first core function of an EHR system is to collect and store health information and data on patients. This includes demographic information, medical history, medications, allergies, laboratory test results, and other clinical information. The data should be easily accessible and searchable by authorized healthcare providers, and the system should be able to generate reports and summaries of the data as needed.
Function 2: Results Management
The second core function of an EHR system is to manage the results of laboratory tests, imaging studies, and other diagnostic tests. The system should be able to receive and store the results electronically, and provide alerts to healthcare providers when abnormal results are detected. The system should also be able to track and monitor the results over time, and generate reports and summaries as needed.
Function 3: Order Management
The third core function of an EHR system is to manage orders for medications, laboratory tests, imaging studies, and other diagnostic tests. The system should be able to receive and process orders electronically, and provide alerts to healthcare providers when orders are incomplete, incorrect, or potentially harmful. The system should also be able to track and monitor the orders over time, and generate reports and summaries as needed.
Function 4: Decision Support
The fourth core function of an EHR system is to provide decision support to healthcare providers. This includes alerts for potential drug interactions, reminders for preventive care and screenings, and clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. The system should be able to customize the decision support based on the patient's medical history, medications, and other clinical information.
Function 5: Electronic Communication and Connectivity
The fifth core function of an EHR system is to facilitate electronic communication and connectivity between healthcare providers. This includes electronic prescribing, secure messaging, and the ability to share patient information with other healthcare providers as needed. The system should be able to integrate with other healthcare information systems, such as laboratory information systems and radiology information systems.
Function 6: Patient Support
The sixth core function of an EHR system is to provide support for patients. This includes patient portals that allow patients to access their own health information, communicate with healthcare providers, request appointments, and refill prescriptions. The system should also be able to provide educational materials and resources to patients, and support patient engagement in their own healthcare.
Function 7: Administrative Processes
The seventh core function of an EHR system is to support administrative processes in healthcare organizations. This includes billing and coding, appointment scheduling, and inventory management. The system should be able to generate reports and summaries of administrative data as needed, and integrate with other administrative systems in the organization.
Function 8: Reporting and Population Health
The eighth and final core function of an EHR system is to support reporting and population health management. The system should be able to generate reports on clinical outcomes, quality measures, and population health trends. The system should also be able to support population health management initiatives, such as disease management programs and public health reporting.
In conclusion, the eight core functions of an EHR system identified by the Institute of Medicine have become widely accepted as the standard for EHR systems in the United States. These functions provide a framework for healthcare organizations to evaluate and select EHR systems that meet their needs for patient care, clinical decision-making, and administrative processes. By implementing EHR systems that meet these core functions, healthcare organizations can improve the quality and safety of care, and enhance the patient experience.