Electronic Health Record (EHR) is the method of recording patient information in a secure electronic database. It is intended to replace the aged, physical patient records that were historically stored on paper or microfiche and have gained a lot of supporters over the years. The main advantage of EHR is that it takes less time and effort when it comes to recording patient information and accessing them when needed, as compared to the traditional systems. Also, EHRs have the potential to save up to 30{36a394957233d72e39ae9c6059652940c987f134ee85c6741bc5f1e7246491e6} of healthcare costs over the long term.
Store The Medical History of a Patient
EHR technology is designed to collect and store the medical history of a patient, along with all of the details regarding a treatment, diagnosis, operation, and other medical data. It then acts as a reference tool by storing and retrieving this information electronically. This allows for billing, patient scheduling, order placement, and other related functions to be made more efficient. Also, an Integrated EHR system can be configured to allow for comprehensive or simple entry of information by trained staff. This effectively eliminates the need for patient recall or verification by independent professionals.
EHR Software
EHR software can be purchased separately or integrated with existing software. In most cases, EHR integration requires the purchase and installation of an electronic health record (EHR) application. However, many providers are opting to implement an on-site system, in which case, the installation process may be faster. Although some providers state that it is not feasible to integrate EHRs with existing software, others have stated that it is possible to convert an on-site system to an integrated one.
Benefits From Using EHR Integration
When it comes to implementing an integrated EHR, healthcare organizations will have to first determine the benefits that they wish to see. Benefits might include improved billing, better organization of information, and easier patient management. Another benefit might be the ability to generate reports and schedule future appointments directly from the EHR system. Also, when a patient sees a physician or specialist for the first time, they can complete their initial medical history without having to ask for their contact information. By incorporating a virtual checklist with an EHR software system, providers can identify which physician or specialist to call for follow-up care. Ease of use is one of the key components to converting an on-site practice to an integrated system.
Improve the quality of patients care
Although many organizations have chosen to implement an integrated EHR, not all are successful. One reason why some clinics and hospitals fail to convert to an integrated system is the level of knowledge required to implement one. Another reason why some fail is due to the lack of financial resources to pay for the system. Organizations who choose to implement an integrated EHR can rest assured that it will greatly improve the quality of care provided to patients.
Some experts believe that we are still in the early stages of development when it comes to the proper balance between technology and medicine. The medical community is still struggling to figure out how to balance the positive effects technology has to offer with the traditional method of providing healthcare. Ease of use, better communication, and accurate information are three areas that medical professionals are concerned with right now. Integrating an EHR system into a healthcare organization will only make those things much easier down the road.