New technological possibilities have creatively expanded medical care.
One area that has benefited from advances in communications and data technology is the storage of medical records.
Prior to EMRs or electronic medical records, doctors and nurses kept hardcopy records in secure storage rooms.
EMR Software and Systems allow clinicians and support professionals to access their information in new and improved ways that were previously not possible.
Electronic health records (EMR)
An electronic health record (EMR) seems complicated because it has to be accessed through a computer.
However, EMRs offer numerous benefits for providers and patients, as well as a variety of software options.
Definition of EMR (Electronic health records)
The electronic patient record (EMR) software automates the documentation, storage and retrieval of patient records.
EMRs improve access to information for doctors, nurses, and patients.
The ability to restrict access using passwords and biometric scanners makes recordings more secure.
With the recent surge in EMR usage, services are available that can be used to transfer old paper map records to digital files that can be uploaded to an EMR platform.
Overall, the EMR software records digital data that can be used to track and monitor patient health over a long period of time.
EMRs also provide the ability to review files remotely. That said, doctors can review data off-site, multiple people can review a chart at the same time, and there is no handwriting or other confusion that can arise with paper charts.
How is this different from an EHR?
An electronic patient record (EMR) should not be confused with an electronic patient record (EHR).
While both systems have similar uses and capabilities, they are not entirely interchangeable for the needs of physicians. EHRs, or electronic health records, focus on overall health.
This broader view of a patient’s medical information is generally not stored in an EMR. Patients cannot take their EMR with them when they move to another hospital, clinic, or doctor outside of their current network.
EMRs help medical practices keep better and more secure records through digitization. In contrast to EHR software, electronic patient records do not have easily transferable data.
However, EMR is associated with lower costs and fewer challenges than more stringent EHR software systems.
The decision to choose an EMR instead of an EHR depends on which features are most useful for a hospital, office, or clinic.
Key Functionality of EMRs
Electronic health records expand the ability of doctors and clinicians to record and use information about their patients.
By inserting paper documents into digital software, hospitals and clinics have better control over health data.
EMRs have some key functions for both medical professionals and their patients.
Charts
Anamnesis and diagnoses automatically enter a secure, digital space to be recorded. There aren’t many graphs left from multiple visits.
In addition, digital records can be read more accurately and clearly. Messy handwriting is a thing of the past.
Patient portals
Patients have direct access to their medical information with EMRs.
Most electronic health records offer an online portal that gives patients secure access to their previous visits, medication history, and laboratory results for a particular hospital or clinic.
E-Prescribing
Pharmacies can get prescriptions faster than before with the e-prescribing feature of most EMRs.
This feature can also send notifications to doctors about dosage amounts, allergies, and possible drug interactions.
Order Entry
EMRs make it easy for vendors to store and submit orders for lab tests and more. Orders are less likely to get lost in paperwork.
It also filters errors out of the system before they can cause problems. Hospitals and patients save time and money in the long term without double testing.
Decision Support
In addition to the convenient patient portal, most EMRs have features that patients can use to manage certain aspects of their health care.
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