The terms EHR and EMR are often used interchangeably. The electronic health record (EHR) is a more longitudinal collection of the electronic health information of individual patients or populations. The EMR, in contrast, is the patient record created by providers for specific encounters in hospitals and ambulatory environments, and which can serve as a data source for an EHR.
EMR is a technological advancement in healthcare that does away with the traditional paper-based documentation of medical records. The digital version records and documents patient’s medical history and data gets added with every visit to a physician. In simple words, an EMR provides you access to your complete history virtually, anytime, anywhere.
An EHR or an electronic health record is a digitalized version of the health history written in the paper chart. These are patient-centered records, which will help in making information related to the patient and his issues instantly available only to the authorized users. This includes medical history, diagnoses, treatments, medications, allergies, immunization dates, laboratory results, etc. It also automates the workflow to make the treatment easier.
Advantages Of EMR
Access and Storage
There are many advantages of EMR for both patients and healthcare providers. For patients, it eliminates the need to store and carry paper reports every time they visit a physician. With EMR, practically, they carry their complete healthcare records with them wherever they go.
When Patient charts are scanned and uploaded into an “Electronic Medical Record”, system, one can easily access them quickly, always store them correctly and not have to find space to house them.
Cost Saving over time
The implementation of an EMR is an investment. With an EMR system set up, there is less need for personnel to manage the records, less space to store them and less security to protect them. Eventually coming down to saving in terms of money.
Security
Since there is usually only one copy of paper documents, the loss of a document is an irreversible disaster. On the other hand, electronic documents are sorted with premade automations so human error is significantly less likely to occur, they can be backed up onto multiple systems, and they can be encrypted. With multiple copies saved and backed up, you can rest assured that even during natural disasters or surprise power outages, your files will remain safe.
Accuracy and Readability
EMR eliminates the legibility issues of prescriptions and reports, saves time, and helps healthcare providers in better decision-making by understanding accurate dosages, previous diagnoses and treatment plans.
If a physician or staffer can’t decipher the writing they are reading (properly), it will at least put a slow down on their process while they find someone who can read it or the original physician who wrote it. However, at most there could be medical mistakes made and improper care given to a patient. Electronic medical records that are typed in perfectly legible font assure an easy and accurate read for anyone trying to understand the information.
At Qwerty System Solutions Limited, we have customized, installed and maintain Electronic Medical Records solutions for Hospitals, Dental Clinics and Opticians.
Please contact us if you require more details.
