The Pros And Cons Of Electronic Medical Records
Abstract:
Despite the growth of computer technology in medicine, most medical encounters are still documented on paper medical records. The electronic medical record has numerous documented benefits, yet its use is still sparse. This paper describes the state of electronic medical records, their advantage over existing paper records, the problems impeding their implementation, and concerns over their security and confidentiality.
The provision of medical care is an information-intensive activity. Yet in an era when most commercial transactions are automated for reasons of efficiency and accuracy, it is somewhat ironic that most recording of medical events is still done on paper. Despite a wealth of evidence that the electronic medical record (EMR) can save time and cost as well as lead to improved clinical outcomes and data security, most patient-related information is still recorded manually. This paper describes efforts to …show more content…
Other similar expressions exist albeit with a sometimes slightly restricted focus. While EMRs have a general focus on medical care, Electronic Patient Records (EPRs) and Computerized Patient Records (CPRs) “contain clinical information about a patients from a particular hospital” and Electronic Health Care Records (EHCRs) “contain a patient’s health information”. The perceived advantages of EMRs can be summarized as “optimizing the documentation of patient encounters, improving communication of information to physicians, improving access to patient medical information, reduction of errors, optimizing billing and improving reimbursement for services, forming a data repository for research and quality improvement, and reduction of paper”. As EMRs are viewed as having a great potential for improving quality, continuity, safety and efficiency in healthcare, as they are being implemented across the
Despite the growth of computer technology in medicine, most medical encounters are still documented on paper medical records. The electronic medical record has numerous documented benefits, yet its use is still sparse. This paper describes the state of electronic medical records, their advantage over existing paper records, the problems impeding their implementation, and concerns over their security and confidentiality.
The provision of medical care is an information-intensive activity. Yet in an era when most commercial transactions are automated for reasons of efficiency and accuracy, it is somewhat ironic that most recording of medical events is still done on paper. Despite a wealth of evidence that the electronic medical record (EMR) can save time and cost as well as lead to improved clinical outcomes and data security, most patient-related information is still recorded manually. This paper describes efforts to …show more content…
Other similar expressions exist albeit with a sometimes slightly restricted focus. While EMRs have a general focus on medical care, Electronic Patient Records (EPRs) and Computerized Patient Records (CPRs) “contain clinical information about a patients from a particular hospital” and Electronic Health Care Records (EHCRs) “contain a patient’s health information”. The perceived advantages of EMRs can be summarized as “optimizing the documentation of patient encounters, improving communication of information to physicians, improving access to patient medical information, reduction of errors, optimizing billing and improving reimbursement for services, forming a data repository for research and quality improvement, and reduction of paper”. As EMRs are viewed as having a great potential for improving quality, continuity, safety and efficiency in healthcare, as they are being implemented across the