Electronic Medical Records: Revolutionizing Patient Care

An electronic medical record, or EMR, is the digital record of an individual’s health information as compiled by a healthcare provider. It’s no overstatement to say that electronic medical records are changing how healthcare practices work. Practices can quickly access patient history details, making diagnosis and treatment easier. They also allow for more accurate and speedy billing and better scheduling.

Historical Background of EMRs

Electronic medical records have been around for quite a while. The first clinic to use this style of record keeping was the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, back in the 1960s. Such a system was prohibitively expensive for most healthcare providers and did not catch on throughout the industry.

In the 1970s, some of the largest health systems began to catch on and adopt this technology. It was used primarily for front-office purposes such as billing and scheduling. 

The 1980s saw computer technology become far less expensive. EMR systems became more accessible from a budget standpoint. Yet there was still a significant hurdle: converting paper records into electronic formats took a lot of time. For most practices, this placed EMRs out of reach. There were also concerns about security and privacy issues.

The 1990s brought changes in technology across the board. Congress passed HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. The act created a national framework to protect private health information as digitalization became more common.

In 2004, President George W. Bush created an “Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology” (often shortened to ONC). This department was charged with creating a plan to transition our healthcare into the digital age. Today, ONC runs HealthIT.gov and coordinates the electronic exchange of health information.

Features of Electronic Medical Records

There are several features of EMR systems that your practice may find helpful. Here are a few of the top features.

Clinical Documentation

Busy healthcare providers can find it challenging to make time for record-keeping, yet this is vital to any medical office. With a full-featured EMR solution at their fingertips, documentation can become quick and painless. Many providers now do much of their documentation in the room with the patient.

Patient Data Management

As easy as it is to enter data into an EMR system, managing that data can be even simpler. The system can merge details of lab tests, allergies, vaccine records, medication histories, imaging results, surgical histories, and more. Clinicians can then review all this data at a glance, helping them get a more well-rounded picture of a patient’s health.

Interoperability

While not all EMR systems offer this feature, it’s a beneficial tool. Interoperability means that patient records can be shared between various systems. It allows medical practices to view records created by labs, surgery centers, and specialists. It can also allow patients to see all their medical records in one place.

Data Analytics and Reporting

Data analytics is becoming increasingly essential everywhere, and healthcare is no exception. EMR systems with advanced features can analyze patient history and medical records to help providers diagnose and treat health problems more accurately. With electronic prescribing features, the system can prevent errors by pointing out potential medicine interactions and contraindications.

How Electronic Medical Records Benefit Your Practice

Today, electronic medical records have become commonplace, and most medical practices use them. There are three primary reasons for their popularity among clinical staff:

We’ll explore these benefits in more detail below.

Better Data Management and Accessibility

Possibly the most obvious benefit of electronic medical records management is that it offers a better way to store data on patients. Paper filing systems are notoriously difficult to manage. Files get misplaced or misfiled. They’re difficult to access or read and can be easily compromised by a spilled cup of coffee or other mishaps. Finally, electronic records are far easier to update. As patient health changes over time, they allow providers to review their entire history with a given patient at a glance. 

Improved Patient Care

The primary directive of the medical industry is to care for patients. It should be no surprise, then, that tools that improve patient care are favored by most practices. 

Electronic medical records offer better patient care in several ways. First, they give care providers better access to patient histories and clinical data. Next, when patients have access to their own EMRs, they are better informed about their own health journeys. This give-and-take creates improved patient-to-provider relationships. It leads to better communication and more effective engagement.

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

EMRs also boost productivity and efficiency for medical staff at all levels. Staff members don’t have to waste time tracking down paper files that have been misplaced or misfiled. Providers can pull up a patient’s records in seconds, giving them easy access to history and lab results. Notes are as easy to read as they are to access, so no one has to take the time to figure out sloppy handwriting. Finally, repetitive, time-consuming tasks like appointment confirmations can be handled by the software.

Best Practices for Electronic Medical Record Implementation

There are several best practices for implementing a new EMR system or any other new healthcare technology. Here are some things to consider before implementation:

Common Misconceptions about Electronic Medical Records

There are two primary complaints you may encounter when implementing new EMR software in your practice. Fortunately, they’re both misconceptions, and a little education can quickly reassure those who are hesitant.

How Office Ally’s Solutions Can Help Your Practice With EMR Management

If you’re in the market for a new EMR management system, Office Ally should be on your evaluation list. Our EHR 24/7 system helps medical practices run more smoothly, offering better patient outcomes and enhanced clinical workflows. Our features offer: 

Sign up for EHR 24/7 today and free up time to focus on patient care instead of paperwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of electronic medical records?

The primary benefits of EMRs include the following: 

Are electronic medical records secure?

Yes, if you are using an EMR provider that is in compliance with HIPAA guidelines that require that all EMR solutions meet strict security and confidentiality standards.

What is interoperability in EMR?

Interoperability allows EMR systems to communicate with one another. This means documentation can be shared between all the medical practices treating a specific patient.

How much does it cost to implement an electronic medical record system?

The costs for EMR systems can vary widely, from completely free of charge to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

What are the best practices for EMR implementation?

EMR implementation best practices include: