With all the discussion on health care reform, you may have heard references to something called an “electronic medical record,” or EMR.These basically function as a digital patient chart, and here are many advantages to EMRs…
With all the discussion on health care reform and the need to cut costs while improving quality, you may have heard references to something called an “electronic medical record,” or EMR. These basically function as a digital patient chart, which for years has been comprised of a paper file that keeps track of your medical history—the results of physical exams and any diagnostic procedures, medications prescribed, surgeries and procedures performed, and any other pertinent health information. EMRs essentially digitize all this information into an electronic file that is accessed via computer. Some people refer to EMRs as “EHRs” or electronic health record—they are essentially the same thing.
Why is health care moving toward EMRs and away from paper files? And why did I recently choose to move Shohet Ear Associates onto an EMR system? There are many advantages to EMRs. Because they are digital, they are much more portable than paper files. If you’ve ever had to physically retrieve an x-ray to take to another doctor’s office or request a copy of your medical record from a hospital, you’ll likely appreciate this feature. Obtaining these documents in an EMR format is almost as easy as sending an email. If your doctor is part of a larger group with multiple locations, your records can be accessed at any of their offices if they are using EMRs. It is also easier to store EMRs, since these files are maintained in an electronic format and take up much less space. In addition, records can be kept forever when stored electronically. Paper files are cumbersome and because medical records must be stored for seven years, they may not be kept on-site. That makes retrieval of older records a lengthier process if they are being kept at another storage location.
EMRs can also speed up diagnosis and treatment because they can be transmitted almost instantly between specialists. For patients who live in areas with a shortage of certain specialists, this can be a lifesaver. The surge in telemedicine, in which a specialist in a far-flung location actually treats a patient remotely, has been made possible because of the internet and EMRs.
In addition, EMRs greatly enhance communication between health care professionals and patients. By capturing patient information digitally, medical offices can send email reminders of appointments, issue test results via email, and communicate directly with patients about follow-up care. Some offices even allow patients to schedule themselves for certain types of appointments. Our office will be implmenting some of these features in the near future.
There are some disadvantages to EMRs. Patients may be responsible for more data input than was the case with paper files. (But this may also enhance accuracy of the information if the patient himself provides it.) Offices that are new to EMRs may take a little longer to find appointments, enter patient information or generate statements as they learn the new system. And of course, computer crashes may make accessing data difficult if the system goes offline.
But overall, the advantages far outweigh the downside of EMRs. I have always been a believer in new technology, especially as it relates to patient care. Moving to an EMR system is just another way that our staff has committed to providing the very latest in medical advances to our patients.