Exclusive Article By Stephany Lehman
Technology often makes things in life faster, easier, and safer. Health IT, in particular, improves the care and safety of patients across the country. From the doctor’s office, all the way to the pharmacy, electronic medical records (EMRs) have numerous benefits.
Immediate Access To Important Information
When a serious accident occurs, it is important that the doctors have all of the information possible before providing care. If there is an allergy, medication or previous condition that they do not know of, it could lead to potential complications and worsening conditions.
Such records were difficult to keep together and share in the past. EMRs have changed all of this. The doctors no longer need to wait for test results to decide whether they can proceed with a certain treatment. They have instant access to important information, such as, medical history and allergies.
Some tests come with risks. Without having the needed medical records present, a doctor may have to repeat a risky test that was already performed on the patient in the past. Having EMRs means there is no need to ever repeat a risky test or procedure.
Updates When Doctors Are Away
Many electronic medical record systems have features that keep doctors updated with vital information while they are away from patients. For example, if a doctor has a patient who is in labor, they can monitor heart rate and other vitals while they are away from the office. This allows them to tend to other needs while staying up-to-date with the patient.
This can be applied to several different scenarios to save time and keep multiple patients safe. The doctor can be notified via text, email or phone calls when certain conditions are met.
Saving Time In Many Ways
The above benefit is also helpful in that it saves time. That is time that the doctor can spend on other valuable tasks rather than waiting in the office and watching the monitor. There are other ways in which EMRs save the doctor time, which, in turn, benefits the safety of all their patients.
EMR systems can automate email communications between the doctor and other doctors, staff, or patients. It can also be used to speed up the billing process. Finally, it provides access to medical records without waiting for them to arrive by some other methods.
Eliminate Human Errors
Human errors are difficult to avoid. Unfortunately, in the medical world, these errors can cause big problems. They sometimes even cost lives. Using electronic medical records is not going to eliminate human error altogether. The records will only be as accurate as the doctor who records them and as useful as the doctor who reads them. Still, EMRs do eliminate a great deal of human error.
One area, in particular, is the writing and filling of prescriptions. One study suggests that EMR can reduce errors in prescriptions by around 95 percent. (https://www.cbo.gov/publication/41690?index=9168) That is a substantial reduction in human error with much of it related to handwriting.
Improving In Time
Electronic medical records still are not perfect. Not all systems are uniform. However, these systems are constantly improving and they are already having a tremendous effect on the health and safety of patients everywhere.
Stephany Lehman is a skin care and natural health enthusiast. She helps to run a site, AriaStarrBeauty.com that shares her passion and commitment to organic skin and beauty care.
