WGU C803 TASK 3: HEALTH RECORDS ACCURATE AND VERIFIED
Task 3: Health Records
C803 Data Analytics and Information Governance
, CHARACTERISTICS
Due to the evolution of healthcare technology, healthcare providers have several options
for storing patient health records. These records can be stored as paper records, through a hybrid
health record, or a fully electronic health record.
Paper health records are any patient health information that is collected and recorded on
paper. Approximately 5 percent of health practices still use paper records (Freedman, 2024).
Paper health records have low upfront costs since there is not a lot of equipment that is needed
and are also easier to use since providers and staff do not have to learn how to use an electronic
health record system. Paper health records are not very accessible since they are only stored at
the facility or clinic where services are being provided. This can make it difficult to retrieve
patient records in cases of emergency or when a patient is needing to be treated by a different
provider. Also, because paper records are stored at the facility or clinic, usually in locked file
cabinets in a storage room, they are more prone to data breaches since physical locks are easier
to get through than electronic security measures. Paper records are also easily destroyed in the
event of a natural disaster or other catastrophic events. Amending paper records is a very simple
process. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), if an amendment
or correction needs to be made, this can be done by striking through the original content with a
single line, putting in the new information, and then the person making the amendment needs to
sign and date the revision (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 2017). Because
paper records can be edited whenever by anyone there is no simple way to track who made those
changes since there is no automatic audit trail in place unless every change is signed and dated.
Paper records are mostly handwritten which can lead to human errors and miscommunication
Task 3: Health Records
C803 Data Analytics and Information Governance
, CHARACTERISTICS
Due to the evolution of healthcare technology, healthcare providers have several options
for storing patient health records. These records can be stored as paper records, through a hybrid
health record, or a fully electronic health record.
Paper health records are any patient health information that is collected and recorded on
paper. Approximately 5 percent of health practices still use paper records (Freedman, 2024).
Paper health records have low upfront costs since there is not a lot of equipment that is needed
and are also easier to use since providers and staff do not have to learn how to use an electronic
health record system. Paper health records are not very accessible since they are only stored at
the facility or clinic where services are being provided. This can make it difficult to retrieve
patient records in cases of emergency or when a patient is needing to be treated by a different
provider. Also, because paper records are stored at the facility or clinic, usually in locked file
cabinets in a storage room, they are more prone to data breaches since physical locks are easier
to get through than electronic security measures. Paper records are also easily destroyed in the
event of a natural disaster or other catastrophic events. Amending paper records is a very simple
process. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), if an amendment
or correction needs to be made, this can be done by striking through the original content with a
single line, putting in the new information, and then the person making the amendment needs to
sign and date the revision (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 2017). Because
paper records can be edited whenever by anyone there is no simple way to track who made those
changes since there is no automatic audit trail in place unless every change is signed and dated.
Paper records are mostly handwritten which can lead to human errors and miscommunication
