Many health care facilities use electronic medical records for their versatility. Electronic medical records (EMR) provide a consistent communication among doctors, nurses, laboratories, and other staff members. Before EMRs, there would only be one hard copy of a patient's file and therefore only one person at a time would have access to that file. With EMRs, patient records can be accessed from many different locations by different staff members with password-protected security [ (Hekman, 1999-2011) ].
There are extensive advantages to using EMRs. Electronic Medical Records enhance the quality of care of the patient due to medical staff having access to a substantial amount of information from every available medical resource. EMRs offer faster and more efficient diagnosis and treatments [ (Spring, 2008) ]. Having EMRs also helps to cut costs associated with paper records along with increasing workplace efficiency. EMRs increase storage capabilities as well as decrease charting time and errors [ (Gurley, 2003) ].
Even though there are many advantages to having EMRs, there are some disadvantages. One of the major disadvantages to using EMRs, is the start-up cost. Buying the software, and in some instances the hardware, needed to implement this system can be quite costly. Other disadvantages include training staff members how to use the software [ (Spring, 2008) ] and confidentiality and security issues [ (Gurley, 2003) ].
Challenges occur any time something new is introduced into the workplace. One challenge is that not all staff members may be computer savvy and would have a harder time adjusting to the program. Another challenge is simply the cost to implement the program. While the software is expensive to buy, it is simply a matter of what is better for the health care facility and it's patients in the long run.
References
Gurley, L. (2003). Advantages and Disadvantages of the Electronic Medical Record. Retrieved February 1, 2011, from... [continues]
There are extensive advantages to using EMRs. Electronic Medical Records enhance the quality of care of the patient due to medical staff having access to a substantial amount of information from every available medical resource. EMRs offer faster and more efficient diagnosis and treatments [ (Spring, 2008) ]. Having EMRs also helps to cut costs associated with paper records along with increasing workplace efficiency. EMRs increase storage capabilities as well as decrease charting time and errors [ (Gurley, 2003) ].
Even though there are many advantages to having EMRs, there are some disadvantages. One of the major disadvantages to using EMRs, is the start-up cost. Buying the software, and in some instances the hardware, needed to implement this system can be quite costly. Other disadvantages include training staff members how to use the software [ (Spring, 2008) ] and confidentiality and security issues [ (Gurley, 2003) ].
Challenges occur any time something new is introduced into the workplace. One challenge is that not all staff members may be computer savvy and would have a harder time adjusting to the program. Another challenge is simply the cost to implement the program. While the software is expensive to buy, it is simply a matter of what is better for the health care facility and it's patients in the long run.
References
Gurley, L. (2003). Advantages and Disadvantages of the Electronic Medical Record. Retrieved February 1, 2011, from... [continues]
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