Electronic Medical Records (Group 3: Derek Blackmore, Joel Groeneveld, Tiffany Feller, & Ellen Skorpinski )
Paper-based medical records have been in use for centuries. However, recently there has been a major shift in the United States and other developing nations to implement computer-based medical records. These computer-based models, called electronic medical records (EMRs), are similar to a patient’s normal paper charts, but are electronic and can be viewed at any hospital that has a compatible system. The advent and use of EMRs will ultimately affect every American that receives medical care in this country because their medical records will now be electronic and can more easily be shared between a patient’s doctors and hospitals.
EMR software programs allow for medical professionals to review a patient’s medical records in one bookmarked page. The medical professional can see the patient’s prescriptions, past checkups from all medical fields, lab results, physical therapy instructions, and even X-rays and MRIs. Having all of this information in one area enables the medical professional to give the patient the best possible care. EMRs not only improve patient care, but also to lower costs. EMR technology provides fail-safes and protections to healthcare providers with respect to drug interactions as well as eliminating unnecessary tests and procedures. Customization reduces upfront costs because providers or organizations only need to invest in the infrastructure that relates to the service(s) they provide.
Challenges include pushback from industry veterans, high costs of training and education, transitioning from a paper-based workflow to the computerized system, and IT issues that may arise in the EMR system. Ethical, social, and legal issues associated with electronic medical records also pose challenges. Patients may wish to have access to and control over their medical information and systems must be user friendly and completely integrated. Material contained in EMRs, such as a patient’s name, address, date of birth and social security number consists of highly confidential information, and if improperly released or viewed by non-authorized parties, it could result in the loss of insurance coverage or even employment of the patient. Also, EMRs must be stored legally, and if they do not meet legal requirements, a payer could deny a claim. Finally, global issues need to be considered; most of the countries seeing EMR implementation tended to be developed nations with financial and educational resources to support the investments of EMRs. This phenomenon has increased the gap between the privileged and underprivileged nations. The proper level for deploying an EMR system (e.g., national, district, clinic) must be considered, as well as how to fund EMR system investments.
EMRs would not only cut costs for healthcare providers, it would also give patients the ability to quickly and easily access their own medical records. However, patients have the right to privacy and must be assured that their EMRs are properly secured. While EMR’s have been successfully implemented in other developed countries, it is important that proper attention and money is allocated towards implementing EMRs in underdeveloped countries as well. As EMRs become more realistic, companies must be able to ensure that the information included in EMRs is accurate and complete.
University Of Wisconsin - Whitewater
EMR software programs allow for medical professionals to review a patient’s medical records in one bookmarked page. The medical professional can see the patient’s prescriptions, past checkups from all medical fields, lab results, physical therapy instructions, and even X-rays and MRIs. Having all of this information in one area enables the medical professional to give the patient the best possible care. EMRs not only improve patient care, but also to lower costs. EMR technology provides fail-safes and protections to healthcare providers with respect to drug interactions as well as eliminating unnecessary tests and procedures. Customization reduces upfront costs because providers or organizations only need to invest in the infrastructure that relates to the service(s) they provide.
Challenges include pushback from industry veterans, high costs of training and education, transitioning from a paper-based workflow to the computerized system, and IT issues that may arise in the EMR system. Ethical, social, and legal issues associated with electronic medical records also pose challenges. Patients may wish to have access to and control over their medical information and systems must be user friendly and completely integrated. Material contained in EMRs, such as a patient’s name, address, date of birth and social security number consists of highly confidential information, and if improperly released or viewed by non-authorized parties, it could result in the loss of insurance coverage or even employment of the patient. Also, EMRs must be stored legally, and if they do not meet legal requirements, a payer could deny a claim. Finally, global issues need to be considered; most of the countries seeing EMR implementation tended to be developed nations with financial and educational resources to support the investments of EMRs. This phenomenon has increased the gap between the privileged and underprivileged nations. The proper level for deploying an EMR system (e.g., national, district, clinic) must be considered, as well as how to fund EMR system investments.
EMRs would not only cut costs for healthcare providers, it would also give patients the ability to quickly and easily access their own medical records. However, patients have the right to privacy and must be assured that their EMRs are properly secured. While EMR’s have been successfully implemented in other developed countries, it is important that proper attention and money is allocated towards implementing EMRs in underdeveloped countries as well. As EMRs become more realistic, companies must be able to ensure that the information included in EMRs is accurate and complete.
University Of Wisconsin - Whitewater
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