Technology has come quite a long way from where it was many years ago. It might seem unbelievable to the generation of today to think that 40 years ago, hospitals did not have computer systems in place to keep track of patient records and instead wrote everything down and stored information via filing cabinets. Some institutions used typewriters, but this method was still very time consuming.
The development of EMR systems has forever changed how patient information is stored and maintained. This type of technology allows for faster record keeping and also lets medical staff access records quicker and cuts down on patient wait times.
Every medical institution, such as hospitals, clinics, and private offices require a reliable system. As aforementioned, stocking and categorizing of documents that had been either handwritten or typed used to be the most common way of storing medical records. This method would create piles upon piles of papers being stored in large rolling filing cabinets.
The burden placed upon the medical team under these circumstances was immense because they had to search for medical files on a daily basis. Once the file folder was found, they then had to sift through all of the paperwork within the file in order to find the document needed. The medical staff was also responsible for maintaining the integrity of the files and keeping them safe from harm.
When records were kept in their physical forms, the risk of these sensitive files falling into the wrong hands was high. Sometimes medical documents became lost, stolen, or damaged in natural disasters without any backup measures having been put into place.
EMR systems changed all of this almost instantly. Paperless, computerized record keeping systems have redesigned the entire process of medical record keeping. All patient records are stored in the medical system via computer. These records are backed up a number of times in case a disaster where to happen or a breach in the system were to occur.
The incidence of medical errors have been distinctly decreased by using electronic means of keeping records. As we all know, human error happens all of the time but electronics don’t make mistakes. Electronic methods of record keeping are far more convenient and provide a high level of accuracy when it comes to storing patient data.
Medical records are important because they let the medical team know what occurred with you during your last appointment, surgery, or checkup. These records contain vital information about your health and well being. Imagine if your child was allergic to a medication and this info was noted in his or her records. You can be sure that the pharmacy and prescribing doctor would not issue this drug.
Medical records can save people’s lives and provide the medical staff with a clear history of your health. Electronic book keeping of these records ensures that your information is easy to access, kept safe, and let your doctor know everything he needs to know about your health history.
In this day and age, records can be shared (with your permission) electronically from one health professional to another. This can mean sending your electronic records within the same healthcare system or sending them to another country all from the push of a button.
In other words, electronic medical record systems have completely revamped how the medical system keeps patient records on file. These types are records can also be used in the legal system to either prove or disprove claims within the medical realm. Error free charting is important in this instance and electronic medical records can provide just that.