The Importance Of EMR In Health Care

It is no secret that the medical profession deals with some of population’s most valuable records; their health information. Not so long ago there was only one method of keeping medical records and this was utilizing paper charts. These charts, although still used in many practices today, have slowly been replaced by a more advanced method; electronic medical records or EMR’s. “The manner in which information is currently employed in healthcare is highly inefficient, which slows down communication and can, as a result, reduce the emergence and

After decades of paper based medical records, a new type of record keeping has surfaced - the Electronic Health Record (EHR). EHR is an electronic or digital format concept of an individual’s past and present medical history. It is the principle storage place for data and information about the health care services provided to an individual patient. It is maintained by a provider over time and capable of being shared across different healthcare settings by network-connected information systems. Such records may include key administrative and clinical data relevant to that persons care under a particular provider. Examples of such records may include: demographics, physician notes, problems or injuries, medications and allergies, vital

HIPAA is primarily focused on the technology and safety standards that apply to all exchanges of confidential information through electronic patient electronic medical records (EMR).

EMR concerns are plaguing the health care industry today that requires change. Healthcare professionals, such as nurses, are on the front lines in the defense against medical errors. Closing the gap between current clinical and hospital practices and the various approaches to improving patient safety requires changes that are cultural and systemic in nature. The greatest challenge to hospitals using an EMR system is the expense of the new system, and the challenge nurses face with technology adoption in usage of EMR and protection of records. Even though spending depends on both the hospital size and the technologies were chosen, implementation and installation of a Health Information Technology system, which includes EMR, are often multi-year investments. The transition from a paper-based system to an electronic system is a very complicated process within every hospital establishment. The transformation is time-consuming and involves numerous staff from across the hospital, including Information Technology personnel, physicians, nurses, ancillary providers, etc. Although hospitals work hard at managing the changes required to move toward an electronic environment, there is no guarantee that hospital personnel will properly utilize the expensive new IT system or EMR. Therefore, the training in the EMR integration is required to all medical staff to have an efficient and uncomplicated system.

It is hard to take a snapshot of the current technology used in healthcare as tomorrow a new innovative idea is right around the corner. A major change that has occurred over time comes from the use of electronic health records (EHR). Electronic health records usage has been on the rise for several years. It has been used by physicians, ambulatory staff, and HMOs. Since data can be easily altered the copies that must be certified for any medical provider to reference. There is a criterion for the composition of this data due to the exchanging of patient information within an interoperable medical

EHR is an acronym for electronic health records. The focus of an electronic health record is on the total health of patients, not just the care at one clinic. Technology has made it possible for the EHR to replace many functions of the traditional paper chart, and promises significant advances in patient care (The Use of electronic Medical Records, 2015). The information that is contained in an EHR moves with the patient wherever they may be (nursing home, PCP, etc.). An EHR is designed to be accessed by everyone involved with the patients care, including the patient. Electronic Health Records allow for more coordinated and patient centered care. They also make it possible to collect and analyze data through each patient and their lines of

An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a real time digital version of a patient’s paper chart that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users. EHR contain a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory and test results. Allow access to evidence-based

An electronic health records (EHRs) has the simplest, digital (computerized) versions of patient 's paper charts. But, (EHRs) when fully up and running are so much more than that. EHRs are real-time patient-centered records. They make information available instantly "whenever and wherever it is needed." And they bring together in one place everything about a patient 's health. EHRs can: contain information about a patient 's medical history, diagnoses, medications, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, lab and test results; offer access to evidence-based tools that providers can use in making decisions about a patient 's care, automate and streamline provider’s workflow, increase organization and accuracy of patient information, support key market changes in payer requirements and consumer expectations. One of the key features of an EHR is that it can

If you ask the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information (ONC) there is a distinct difference between the two. The two organizations state the term “health” covers a broader range verses the term “medical” as stated by Aetna (Garrett & Siedman, 2011). ONC clarifies that electronic medical records are comprised of solely of only the patients’ clinical information such as preventive screening and checkups are due and vaccines. The electronic health record contains a broader history of the patients’ medical history to provide the complete synopsis of the patients’ health.

The implementation of EHR’s in hospitals, laboratories, and physician offices are more prevalent; they are encouraging the patients to access their records online. Furthermore, doctors have access to consults, radiology reports, and emergency department details at the stroke of a key. This allows for a comprehensive assessment of the patient; without governmental mandates for interoperability of EMRs, this will remain to be inconsistent in the healthcare field.

An electronic health record is a digital copy of a patient’s medical chart, which replaces the paper charts formerly used by facilities. The EHR contains diagnoses, history, prescriptions, laboratory data,

Electronic health records have propelled IT into the next generation of healthcare. Not only is everything at the providers fingertips, it allows autonomy for the patient. Our world is becoming very digital, from purchasing concert tickets, to applying for college, this is done at the click of a fingertip. Yet healthcare has aspects that are still stuck in the paper documentation era. From receive paper prescriptions from their doctors to filling out patient history every time someone sees a different physician, there is still work to be done to seamlessly transition to a digital platform. According to Collum and Menachemi, EHRs are defined as “a longitudinal electronic record of patient health information generated by one or more encounters in

Even if they haven 't converted their paper-based records system to an electronic health record (EHR), every physician who is aware of any medical acronyms has heard of EHR. The EHR technology helps practices maintain digital files detailing patient histories, chart notes, treatment records, past and current medications – including adverse events and allergies – and images and lab results. People also associate the term “EHR” with capabilities such as rapid file sharing, robust security and 24/7 access to files from any where because a practice can establish authorized access to files with external partners, such as hospitals, out-patient clinics, specialists and other healthcare networks.

The other terms used to describe EMR include hospital information system (HIS), computerized system (CS), and computerized physician order entry system (CPOE). This computerized setting supports the patient’s EMR across inpatient and outpatient environments and is used by health care providers to manage, monitor, and document health care delivery within a care delivery organization. The health care industry has learned from other industries that computers facilitate the speed of communication, the accuracy of information, capacity for information storage, data retrieval, and date revision. Leaders in the health care industry are developing computerized clinical record systems to manage the huge volume of

Many patients do not fully understand the benefits as well as the drawbacks of an Electronic Health Record (EMR); however, there are many of both. The first major benefit is that you, as a patient, no longer have to remind the provider of previous information, such as orders or allergies. This greatly increases efficiency in terms of patient visit times. Another benefit of an EMR is that a doctor is much less likely to provide medication in error. For example, a patient could currently be taking a daily dose of Aspirin, which is a blood thinner. If their doctor did not know this medication was in use and prescribed them Warfarin, which is also a blood thinner, they have a much higher risk of bleeding. With an EHR, this data is most likely stored in the system, as long as the physician was aware of this. If they were, the system would alert them of this, which would prompt the physician of this, and would not let them order the medication without signing off, agreeing that they are aware of the conflict. There is always a chance for human error, but with an EHR, this is greatly decreased.