There are many advantages of electronic medical records. Electronic medical records (EMR) help health care providers better manage patient care by:
-Getting accurate and complete information about their patient’s health
-Better coordinating the care they give to their patients and families
-Securely sharing information with patients electronically about their personal health record
-Accessing information to help diagnose patients, reducing medical errors, and providing safer care at lower costs
-An EMR contains patient health information, such as: Administrative and billing data; Patient demographics; Progress notes; Vital signs; Medical histories ; Diagnoses; Medications; Immunization dates; Allergies; Radiology images; Lab and test results
An EMR is more than just a computerized version of a paper chart in a provider’s office. It’s a digital record that can provide comprehensive health information about patients. EMR systems are built to share information with other health care providers and organizations – such as laboratories, specialists, medical imaging facilities, pharmacies, emergency facilities, and school and workplace clinics – so they contain information from all clinicians involved in a patient’s care.
When fully functional and exchangeable, the benefits of EMRs offer far more than a paper record can. EMRs:
-Improve quality and convenience of patient care
-Increase patient participation in their care
-Improve accuracy of diagnoses and health outcomes
-Improve care coordination
-Increase practice efficiencies and cost savings
*to read the article from HealthIT.gov, “What Is an Electronic Medical Record (EMR)?,” highlight and click on open hyperlink http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/electronic-medical-records-emr
Note: This blog shares general information about understanding and navigating the health care system. For specific medical advice about your own problems, issues and options talk to your personal physician.