The suggestion to adopt Electronic Health Records (EHRs) along with the identification of key core elements associated with their implementation comes from the Institute of Medicine (IOM). They advocated for a comprehensive approach to EHRs that included eight specific core elements, emphasizing the need for integrated, coded data to enhance the quality of healthcare and improve outcomes.
The eight core elements outlined by the IOM cover essential components such as clinical documentation, decision support, and interoperability, which are crucial for effective data exchange and communication within the healthcare ecosystem. This framework helps to ensure that EHRs not only facilitate the recording and storage of patient information but also contribute to better clinical decision-making, patient safety, and overall efficiency in healthcare delivery.
Adoption of EHRs with these elements is seen as a foundational step for modernizing healthcare systems, aiming for a transformation that leverages technology to improve patient care and outcomes while also addressing data management challenges in a clinical setting.