Benefits of EMR
What is an EMR?
An Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system is a proven and efficient method of recording and preserving important medical information, especially when compared to keeping paper records. As many hospital personnel know, paper records are bulky and take up valuable hospital space. Not to mention the time dedicated to retrieving, filing, and navigating through paper files takes up a lot of valuable time for many staff members. Additionally, despite the fact that many hospitals still keep paper files, they do not provide the same type of valuable information as electronic files can.
Benefit of EMR for Patients
With paper medical files, there is no efficient method of tracing, analyzing or charting valuable information or any way to quickly scan large files for a single piece of information. With EMR, all of this is possible. As more and more hospitals around the country switch to this system of keeping medical records, the more the benefits of an EMR begin to surface. These files cannot simply be lost or misplaced like paper files, meaning fewer errors are likely to occur. Although some hospitals are weary of the learning curve or expenses in training needed when switching from paper files to EMR, numerous studies have shown that the overall benefits and the amount of time and money saved with these systems far outweigh the time and money put into training.
History of EMR
For centuries the medical field has prided itself on using new technologies and cutting edge practices to make the medical system more effective. Electronic medical records are just another way to do this. EMR will not only save space, but it can help doctors cut back on errors and more effectively treat patient.
Benefit of EMR for Doctors
Every doctor has heard the jokes of ridicule regarding their handwriting, and as silly as it may see, legibility issues to plague many doctors and lead to numerous unnecessary mistakes each and every day. Illegible charts and prescriptions can lead to medical errors improper medication and wrong dosages. This is why one of the greatest benefits of an EMR is the decrease in these errors. This also allows doctors to create longer, more progressive notes in a fraction of the time. Doctors then have the ability to more quickly and easily track a patient's records and document a patient's needs, meaning doctors can focus on what they do best, treating their patients.
Benefits of EMR (Summary)
- More efficient method of tracking patient information
- Ability to trace and analyze information quickly and easily
- Decrease in patient errors
- Lower Administrative overhead
