Contemporary Issues in Nursing Related

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A new nurse asks, "Since Electronic Medical Records can improve quality care by having seamless data available for a patient, why doesn't everyone just replace paper and pencil charts"? Barriers to a universal health information infrastructure include the fact that: (select all that apply)

  • A. competition from individual companies to build EMR prevent a universal infrastructure.
  • B. cost is prohibitive even with federal funding for larger health care systems.
  • C. preventive health reminders for immunizations and yearly screenings such as mammograms are used in clinical decision making.
  • D. insurance companies have halted sharing of some patient data due to fear of law suits.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because competition from individual companies to build EMR prevents a universal infrastructure. This is because different EMR systems may not be compatible with each other, hindering seamless data sharing.

Choice B is incorrect because while cost can be a barrier, federal funding can help mitigate this issue for larger healthcare systems. Choice C is incorrect because preventive health reminders are a benefit of EMR, not a barrier. Choice D is incorrect because insurance companies' fear of lawsuits does not directly impact the establishment of a universal health information infrastructure.