The newest trend in medical records is to go with an electronic health records (erh) system from a reputable medical software company. These systems take the paper out of paperwork and allow doctors, nurses and other staff members the ability to access vital records, prescription histories and diagnostic reports at the click of a mouse. There are 5 major reasons to look into one of these systems for your office.
Faster More Efficient Care
Being able to access records on a computer allows multiple physicians to have access to the same files at the same time. This eliminates the need to fax or transfer entire files between offices. Doctors can also access records from home over secure networks. This allows them to go home earlier and work from home offices.
Better Charting and Greater Prescription Accuracy
By having records in a text format, there is no chance of misreading the writing of a doctor. The notes are generally longer and more detailed than those taken by hand because there is no need to try to fit everything on one piece of paper. In addition, prescription information that tells the doctor what insurance coverage a patient has, what medicines they are currently on and possible interactions with any new prescriptions that might be given.
Better Quality Care
With instant access to patient histories and countless medical libraries, doctors are able to adhere to practice guidelines and protocols, reduce medication errors and a decrease the number of diagnostic tests and labs done. This leads to better treatment and overall better care for everyone under the care of a physician in a computer enabled office.
Improved Communication
In addition to the aforementioned ability for multiple doctors to access records easily, communication with patients can be highly improved with the computerized record system. There are options that allow fully scanned lab reports to be accessed by patients from their home computers. This allows doctors to do phone follow-ups instead of having to make separate office appointments.
Reduced Costs
When a file is written directly into an electronic format, there is no need for transcription. These costs, as well as those for calling in prescriptions, can be eliminated. Electronic records also eliminate the number of duplicate tests ordered and preformed.
Key Takeaways:
- Internal medicine electronic health records are faster and more efficient than paper records.
- They produce better quality care and improved doctor to patient communication.
- Internal medicine ehr systems reduce prescription errors and harmful medicine interactions.
- They also reduce operating costs.