Assingments % - Enhancing Patient Safety: Insights from Patient Safety America and the Role of Electronic Health Records

Review the website Patient Safety America created by John T. James, PhD. http://www.patientsafetyamerica.com/Links to an external site.
Read the Journal Article Electronic Health Records and Patient Safety https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4377566/pdf/ACI-06-0136.pdfLinks to an external site.
Write a thoughtful entry regarding the website created by Dr. James and your main take-aways. How did you feel as you were reading the details regarding medical errors in the U.S. hospital system. Additionally, discuss how electronic health records have been used to enhance patient safety. Please conduct your own research using reputable sources as needed.
The discussion must be at least 400 words and submitted in APA 7th edition format with a minimum of 2 peer reviewed references within the last 5 years.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step 1: Visit the Patient Safety America Website

Begin by thoroughly reviewing the website Patient Safety America, which was created by Dr. John T. James. This resource focuses on increasing awareness of patient safety issues and reducing medical errors in the healthcare system. As you read through the content, note key statistics and insights related to medical errors, particularly in U.S. hospitals. Pay attention to the way Dr. James highlights the frequency and severity of medical mistakes, as well as his proposed solutions.

Step 2: Read the Article on Electronic Health Records and Patient Safety

Next, read the article Electronic Health Records and Patient Safety from the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. As you read, focus on understanding how electronic health records (EHRs) are used to reduce medical errors and enhance patient safety. Take note of the potential benefits and challenges highlighted in the paper regarding the adoption and use of EHRs.

Step 3: Reflect on the Key Takeaways from Patient Safety America

After reviewing the website, think about your emotional response as you learn about the number of medical errors in U.S. hospitals. Reflect on the following points in your entry:

Personal Response: How did the details of medical errors make you feel? Were you surprised by the statistics, or did they align with your understanding of patient safety?
Insights on Medical Errors: What are the key takeaways from Dr. James’s website regarding the frequency of medical errors and the steps that can be taken to reduce them?

Step 4: Discuss the Role of Electronic Health Records in Patient Safety

Now, consider the role of electronic health records (EHRs) in improving patient safety. After reading the article, reflect on how EHRs have been implemented in hospitals and other healthcare settings to reduce errors and enhance the quality of care. Discuss the following:

How EHRs Improve Safety: What specific ways do EHRs help prevent errors in medical practice? Think about features like real-time updates, medication management, and patient history tracking.
Challenges with EHR Implementation: What are some challenges or limitations to using EHRs, and how can they be addressed to further enhance patient safety?

Step 5: Conduct Additional Research

To support your discussion, conduct additional research using reputable sources. Focus on finding peer-reviewed articles published in the last five years that examine either the impact of medical errors or the role of EHRs in patient safety. Use databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, or your university’s library to find credible sources.

Step 6: Write Your Discussion

When writing your discussion, make sure to:

Summarize Key Points: Provide an overview of the key findings from the Patient Safety America website and the article.
Personal Reflection: Include your personal reaction to the content, especially regarding the prevalence of medical errors.
Discuss EHR Impact: Analyze how EHRs contribute to patient safety and the ongoing efforts to improve their effectiveness.
Use Proper APA Citations: Cite the Patient Safety America website, the article, and any additional sources in APA 7th edition format. Be sure to include in-text citations and a references list.

Step 7: Final Review

Before submitting, check that your discussion:

Meets the minimum word count (400 words).
Is formatted in APA 7th edition.
Includes at least 2 peer-reviewed references from the last 5 years.
Is well-organized, clear, and logically flows.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to create a thoughtful, well-researched response that addresses medical errors and the role of electronic health records in improving patient safety.