EMR (electronic medical record) refers to the medical records in a digital format. It is a gift of advanced information technology to do away with the "paper" format. The records are maintained on computers in digital format with the help of integrated EMR systems based on healthcare industry requirements and HIPAA guidelines. The system provides with the ready base for entering, grouping and analyzing data that facilititates in the process of diagnosis and treatment.
EMR systems deliver unmatched advantages as compared to age old manual process of creating medical records. Due to readily available detailed data entry forms, the patient data can be stored in detail, the system provides with various checks and validations, thus minizing the possibility of committing errors to a great extent. The biggest advantage it serves is the centralization of data, so that the patient data can be accessed from any where, which could be of great help at times of emergency.
The EMR system helps to speed up the overall process, saves time, helps to cut down the cost, brings about increase in the revenue and much more. However, its ultimate benefits would come if and only if there is "meaningful use" of emr. Meaningful use is nothing but a sense of responsibility towards patients and the healthcare industry on the part of the practitioners (& hospitals) using it.
