What Are Electronic Medical Records

 EMR stands for Electronic medical records, which are the digital equivalent of paper records, or charts at a clinician’s office. EMRs typically contain general information such as treatment and medical history about a patient as it is collected by the individual medical practice.

Benefits of EMR Implementation
By implementing EMR, patient data can be tracked over an extended period of time by multiple healthcare providers. It can help identify those who are due for preventive checkups and screenings and monitor how each patient measures up to certain requirements like vaccinations and blood pressure readings. EMRs are designed to help organizations provide efficient and precise care.

Perhaps the most significant difference is that EMR records are universal, meaning that instead of having different charts at different healthcare facilities, a patient will have one electronic chart that can be accessed from any healthcare facility using EMR software.

Related: EMR vs. EHR
Financial Benefits

Should you decide to implement EMRs in your facility, you may actually experience a decrease in overall expenditure. The decision to use an EMR system instead of paper records can result in a positive return on your financial investment, according to a study published in The American Journal of Medicine. In the study, providers saved on drug expenditure, improved efficiency in radiologic diagnostics, upgraded the recording and reporting of billing services, and decreased billing errors.

EMR applications can also boost the quality and safety of patient care. With an EMR system, you can prescribe and order medication for patients online more safely as you will know if the patient was prescribed any medication from another physician. You can also immediately know each patient’s medical problems and any allergies they may have. With such detailed information available at your fingertips, your staff can more easily give your patients the safe, efficient and personalized care that they deserve.

Improving Patient Care

EMR software systems are also designed to help patients and their families become more involved in the healthcare process. One example of this is seen when clinical summaries, available for more than half of all visits, are sent to patients within 3 business days. Each summary contains information about the care provided during the visit, medications prescribed, upcoming/follow-up appointments and related medical advice. The objective of the summary is to make patients and their family members more aware of what occurred during the visit and how they can assist in patient care.

Patients can also become more involved in their care by exploring patient-specific education resources. EMR software systems will provide links to articles, videos, and images that can help patients better understand their specific healthcare situation. With this technology, patients can make more informed decisions about medical procedures and lifestyle adjustments.

Using EMR systems, patients can quickly and easily receive electronic copies of their healthcare information upon request. In the event they choose to change healthcare providers, the universal detailed medical record will help give the patients’ new healthcare provider a comprehensive understanding of their medical history and current state of health. Healthcare facilities will still be able to exchange patient information if the patient does not request it.

Related: Electronic Medical Record Keeper – Description and Salary