Electronic Medical Record
ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD
DIANA MARIE ATIENZA
KEAN UNIVERSITY
Abstract
Today, most of the healthcare facilities and providers are using Electronic Medical Record or EMR. Electronic Medical Record also known as EMR is a computerized medical record of a patient that stores information, test results, billing information, and other healthcare information. Despite of a good points of view in using EMR there are some positive and negative aspects when using it. Easy access to patient’s information is one of the advantages and privacy is one of the disadvantages and main concern when using Electronic Medical Record.
Electronic Medical Record
What is Electronic Medical Record? Electronic Medical Record or EMR is a computerized medical record of a patient in a digital form. It provides the opportunity for healthcare organizations to improve quality of care and patient safety. “The greatest challenge in the new world of integrated healthcare delivery is to provide comprehensive, reliable, relevant, accessible, and timely patient information to each member of the healthcare team whether in primary or secondary care and whether a doctor, nurse, allied health professional, or patient/consumer” (Schloeffel et al. 2). Electronic Medical Record represents a big potential for cost savings and decreasing workplace. However, just as there are advantages and disadvantages with the paper medical record, there are also advantages and disadvantages with the electronic medical record.
Several Advantages of EMR
It can minimize errors The use of EMR reduces errors in medical records. There is no doubt that hand written records are subject to lots of human errors due to misspelling, illegibility, and differing terminologies.
Keep records safe Paper medical records can be lost easily. We can misplace and misfiled tests results, fires and floods can destroy patient’s records, and any other natural disasters. Digital records can be stored forever and can be kept long after
DIANA MARIE ATIENZA
KEAN UNIVERSITY
Abstract
Today, most of the healthcare facilities and providers are using Electronic Medical Record or EMR. Electronic Medical Record also known as EMR is a computerized medical record of a patient that stores information, test results, billing information, and other healthcare information. Despite of a good points of view in using EMR there are some positive and negative aspects when using it. Easy access to patient’s information is one of the advantages and privacy is one of the disadvantages and main concern when using Electronic Medical Record.
Electronic Medical Record
What is Electronic Medical Record? Electronic Medical Record or EMR is a computerized medical record of a patient in a digital form. It provides the opportunity for healthcare organizations to improve quality of care and patient safety. “The greatest challenge in the new world of integrated healthcare delivery is to provide comprehensive, reliable, relevant, accessible, and timely patient information to each member of the healthcare team whether in primary or secondary care and whether a doctor, nurse, allied health professional, or patient/consumer” (Schloeffel et al. 2). Electronic Medical Record represents a big potential for cost savings and decreasing workplace. However, just as there are advantages and disadvantages with the paper medical record, there are also advantages and disadvantages with the electronic medical record.
Several Advantages of EMR
It can minimize errors The use of EMR reduces errors in medical records. There is no doubt that hand written records are subject to lots of human errors due to misspelling, illegibility, and differing terminologies.
Keep records safe Paper medical records can be lost easily. We can misplace and misfiled tests results, fires and floods can destroy patient’s records, and any other natural disasters. Digital records can be stored forever and can be kept long after
References: Electronic Medical Record. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_medical_record Electronic Medical Record: the pros and cons. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://healthworldnet.com/HeadsOrTails/electronic-medical-records-the-pros-and-cons/?C=6238 Moving to Electronic Medical Records Pros and Cons. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/moving-to-Electronic-Medical-Records-Pros- and-Cons/9234430 Dick, Richard S., Steen, Elaine B. and Detmer, Don E. The Computer-Based Patient Record: An Essential Technology for Health Care, Revised Edition. Retrieved from http://books.nap.edu/books/0309055326/html/index.html IT Applications in Healthcare: The Electronic Medical Record. Koeller, Rodney L. 2002. U. of Maryland. Retrieved from http://www.faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~meinkej/inss690/koeller.pdf Schloeffel, Peter, et al. “Background and Overview of the Good Electronic Health Record.” May 2001.Retrieved from http://www.gehr.org/Documents/BackgroundOverview_of_GEHR.htm Wellen, Diana, Bouchard, Barbara, Houston, Deborah A. “The Electronic Medical Oncology Record: Misconceptions, Barriers, and benefits. “Cancer Management 3.5 (Sept/Oct 1998). Retrieved from http://www.cancernetwork.com/journals/manage/m9809e.htm#Abstract Young, Kathleen M. Informatics For Healthcare Professionals. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis 2000.