Reluctance to Change into EMR

Electronic medical records (EMR) software is a program which makes the storage of patient medical records much easier. The records which contain a patient's medical history are kept in an electronic format and are readily accessible by authorized medical personnel.

With the use of electronic medical software the medical staff is better equipped to streamline their workflow and make it more productive and efficient. It cuts back on time that, in the past would be spent on manually updating and filing records or searching for a particular record. All the relevant information can be acquired with a few clicks of the mouse and can be accessed by more than one person at a time.

However, in spite of a large no. of advantages, there is reluctance to change into EMR . There are many reasons cited for the reluctance such as:

1) High initial cost of license acquisition, computer hardware and implementation.

2) Difficulty as regards migration into a newer system.

3) Time and cost involved in acquiring training.

4) Operational and upkeep costs.

5) Data security issues.

Above all, healthcare professionals are doubtful as regards the success of EMR implementation. Most of them are not sure if EMR electronic medical records software would deliver the required results.

Benefits of EMR in Medical Terms

Healthcare has always been competitive, and with the advent of modern technology those medical service providers who use this technology in an efficient manner are the ones who are going to thrive. One of the main components of modern medical record keeping is EMR (electronic medical records) software, which enables you to store and access patient records electronically.

While the benefits of quality EMR software are abundant, here are few main reasons why EMR software will be a vital asset for your healthcare facility:

1) First and foremost, EMR software improves the overall function of your healthcare facility.

2) EMR can be easily stored as electronic files in secure locations.

3) EMR makes the process of file management very easy as it can store a very large amount of data at ease.

4) The history of the treatment and the prediction and detection of problems becomes very easy and fast.

5) The EMR creates the conditions for easy analysis of the medical records which would otherwise have been a very tedious job.

6) The electronic storage of the data is very economical as compared to the large amount of paper work that was required traditionally.

7) The professionals and the practitioners associated with the health care industry reap huge benefits from the EMR at times of emergency situations.

Above all, EMR (electronic medical records) helps to improve the quality of patient service, thereby enhancing the patient satisfaction.

Implementing An EMR, Is It Worth It?

 

An EMR (or electronic medical records) is a patient's medical information in an electronic format. EMRs contain information regarding the past, present, or future physical and mental health of a patient, medical test reports, medical images, financial and demographic information. In addition, the ordering of medical tests, medications, treatments, and clinical guidelines are accessible within the EMR. The data contained in HER can be captured or transmitted securely and in real-time by users at the point of care. This medical information is accessible via computers on a network, to provide health care and health-related services.

In spite of the widespread advantages associated with the EMR implementation, it is estimated that EMR use is about 20% in the hospital sector in the US (less in Canada) and about 5% in clinics (probably about the same in Canada). Some studies report the major barriers to widespread EMR implementation. They analyze different criteria, among which the major ones are: doubt as regards the achievement of the objective of implementation, the cost of EMR purchase; the adaptation time; the length of a patient encounter; the time required to record the encounter, etc.

A question often disturbs – Implementing an EMR is it worth it? Truly speaking if a right EMR is selected for the practice and used in an optimum manner, it can help to reduce overhead costs and minimize wasteful expenses. Is it really true though that you can actually increase your revenue using EMR (electronic medical records) software? Yes, because the same measures that allow you to streamline your operation also help facilitate new patients and new business, not to mention retain your patient base.