The average foster child in the United States will have three foster care placements. Many will have more. Kaye Eisele’s new article, “The Importance of EHRs in Foster Care Systems,” explores the effect relocation has on a child’s healthcare and offers ways electronic health records can help eliminate errors and improve pediatric care.
Foster children make up a unique population, often with more complex medical conditions than other children. Additionally, many have a history of abuse which further demonstrates the need for a comprehensive medical record that can follow the child around from move to move.
Think of all the data that could be kept on this EHR: dental records, mental health histories, immunization records, growth charts, and family history. The amount of paperwork involved with caring for a foster child is cumbersome, to say the least, and an EHR would hold this information in one place.
One state that has paved the way for a state-wide electronic data exchange of health information is Texas. Ms. Eisele’s article further explains this system, called Foster Care Health Passport, and it clearly shows that EHRs are an invaluable asset to these children.
What do you think? With all the benefits of EHRs, why haven’t more states adopted a similar system to Texas? What can foster care organizations do to lead the way to a better process?