Electro-Organizing through EMR

EMR helps incorporate data from various internal and external sources, obtain data at health care point, and encourages supported decision making.

There is a move that is being promoted in the healthcare community to switch from paper-based records to electronic medical records (EMR). This move is prompted by the need to computerize health information such that the workflow would be more efficient where providing healthcare is concerned. Also, it integrates decision support system into routine workflow in the healthcare institution where it is being used. Since care practices are primarily located in Norway, Denmark and Sweden, the EMR has 90% national penetration among these countries compared to the USA which has 17% national penetration.

Electronic Medical Records has three fundamental capabilities and these are: 1. to obtain data for purposes of providing health care, 2. to incorporate date from various internal and external sources, and 3. to encourage that decision making also be made by caregivers. The first capability aims to make documentation fast and efficient. Through this, errors are reduced and the outcome is a better patient care. Since the guidelines are now integrated and based on evidence, physicians become assisted in provide the best possible care for chronic diseases.

The second capability of electronic medical records seeks to improve patient care because the rules that govern the integration of health maintenance and management of disease give physicians ideas about exceptional tests and procedures. Also, the EMR makes it easier to cross-check the prescriptions so that alternative drugs that belong to similar class can be prescribed. The third capability shows that a decision can be made by caregivers as it is supported by reminders, alerts and prompts through the EMR. This computerized decision support system would aid in improving observance with most excellent clinical practices, make certain that regular screening and other preventive procedures, pinpoint potential drug interactions, and assist in diagnoses and treatments.

Medical records can be very important as they serve as references for colleagues who are possibly encountering the same medical cases. There will always be valuable insights that can be gained through these records. However, the cost of maintaining paper-based records can be very expensive. Using EMR will help reduce the cost of paper, printing and hiring someone to organize the files. It will also help make an office space be less consumed by files and filing cabinets.