What are Electronic Medical Records?
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) is the term used to describe the electronic storage of patient health information. EMR are used widely in the medical field and help provide personalized and interactive healthcare options for users. Like in many other industries, for decades medical records were all kept in written records. Recently a movement has occurred, moving healthcare away from written records and now to online records. Now, medical records are almost stored exclusively electronically, allowing for more convenient and safer access to patient information and data (Benefits of EHR, 2016). Examples of data that can be stored electronically include personal information, medical history, prescriptions, …show more content…
Over twenty years ago the Institute of Medicine began to push the healthcare industry into the age of EMR on the basis that it would provide better safety, smoother transitions of care, and more efficient care (Schroeder, 2015). Although the change occurred slowly, now the move to EMR has become substantial, particularly as new healthcare legislation has caused this transition to be an underlying requirement. Overall, the use of EMR in healthcare has proven to increase patient safety significantly by preventing certain errors. For example, errors caused by poor penmanship have been virtually eliminated by EMR. Other errors that have been reduced include medication errors, dosing errors, and provider miscommunication errors (Benefits of EHR, 2016). Other impacts of EMR on healthcare include enhanced communication, reduced costs for consumers, and better patient access to health records (Olivero, …show more content…
The technology in place for electronic healthy systems now is in its beginning phases. In the future, it is expected many changes will occur from the EMR of today. These changes include speed of provider documentation, increased transparency in care, and involvement of research in patient care (Monegain, 2015). Most importantly, the future of the EMR is growing to cater more the patient. Patient-centered care will be the priority of any EMR system. Many apps are coming into existence that are being incorporated with EMR and allow patients to access health information at the touch of a finger (Mobile Tech, 2014). These developments will allow patients to be in greater control of their health and healthcare
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) is the term used to describe the electronic storage of patient health information. EMR are used widely in the medical field and help provide personalized and interactive healthcare options for users. Like in many other industries, for decades medical records were all kept in written records. Recently a movement has occurred, moving healthcare away from written records and now to online records. Now, medical records are almost stored exclusively electronically, allowing for more convenient and safer access to patient information and data (Benefits of EHR, 2016). Examples of data that can be stored electronically include personal information, medical history, prescriptions, …show more content…
Over twenty years ago the Institute of Medicine began to push the healthcare industry into the age of EMR on the basis that it would provide better safety, smoother transitions of care, and more efficient care (Schroeder, 2015). Although the change occurred slowly, now the move to EMR has become substantial, particularly as new healthcare legislation has caused this transition to be an underlying requirement. Overall, the use of EMR in healthcare has proven to increase patient safety significantly by preventing certain errors. For example, errors caused by poor penmanship have been virtually eliminated by EMR. Other errors that have been reduced include medication errors, dosing errors, and provider miscommunication errors (Benefits of EHR, 2016). Other impacts of EMR on healthcare include enhanced communication, reduced costs for consumers, and better patient access to health records (Olivero, …show more content…
The technology in place for electronic healthy systems now is in its beginning phases. In the future, it is expected many changes will occur from the EMR of today. These changes include speed of provider documentation, increased transparency in care, and involvement of research in patient care (Monegain, 2015). Most importantly, the future of the EMR is growing to cater more the patient. Patient-centered care will be the priority of any EMR system. Many apps are coming into existence that are being incorporated with EMR and allow patients to access health information at the touch of a finger (Mobile Tech, 2014). These developments will allow patients to be in greater control of their health and healthcare