Electronic Medical Records Guide

After some initial skepticism, medical practitioners are discovering many electronic medical records benefits. Fears about the costs of setting up an electronic system and the dangers of maintaining confidential data on a computer have not completely disappeared, but the concept is being embraced across the world.

Practices using electronic records see that productivity has improved significantly. This is because such a system provides simple access to patient records, history and treatments, automated billing, easier reporting and remote working capabilities.

Research has also shown that electronic medical records can lead to fewer errors being made and as a result this reduces malpractice settlements for physicians. A Harvard study highlighted electronic medical records benefits physicians, as just 6.1 percent with such a system having malpractice settlements compared to 10.8 percent of those using a manual system.

There are some downsides to having an electronic system such as the initial cost and the time needed to set up records. Cynics would suggest that the input of data to an electronic medical records system is slow and tedious. This can potentially reduce productivity and have a negative effect on patient care.

Those same cynics may also point to the issue of data security which is something everyone with an electronic system has to be vigilant about. Identity theft is big business, but with strong firewall defenses to protect the electronic records, this should not be an issue. However, failure to implement these safeguards could be disastrous for a practice not only financially but also for its reputation.

There are many other electronic medical records benefits to be gleaned for healthcare facilities not just in the United States but across the globe. Let’s take a look at some of the other benefits:

• Quality of Service – Doctors have to see many patients and it is impossible for them to remember each case in detail. Electronic medical records provide the doctor with the full details of their patient’s medical history. Armed with this information the doctor can respond quickly and treat the patient accurately.
• Emergency Care – Doctors can quickly access patient information on their laptops in order to provide fast medical attention. This is important too when a patient is unable to convey to the doctor their medical history due to extreme illness or injury.
• Injuries Sustained in Wars or Natural Disasters – Electronic medical records benefits can apply in other countries. For example a patient can be treated by a nurse or an intern who is receiving instructions over the telephone from a doctor with access to electronic medical records. The doctor can advise of past ailments or prescriptions helping to avoid the wrong or inappropriate treatment being given.

• Distribution of Medical Supplies – Using electronic medical records can be used to project the medical requirements of a particular region. It may be that in some locations there is a shortage of certain medicines. Perhaps where an area had been over-supplied with stocks, the medicine can be redistributed where it is more needed. This is where electronic medical records benefits pharmaceutical companies too, as they can manage supplies better.