An electronic medical record (EMR) is basically an individual’s medical record which has been transposed into its digital format. It means the same thing as EHR, which stands for electronic health records; both terms are often used interchangeably. Prior to 2006, the use of EMR in the United States was quite small, and even now only a small segment of hospitals (10%) and physicians (16%) use the EMR technology. This article will explore the requirements for electronic medical records and discuss implementation problems.
History of EMR
Dr. Lawrence L. Weed, during the 1960s, was the first to discuss the concept of EMR. He conceptualized a system which can use automation to reorganize medical records of patients. This idea soon became the basis of a project initiated by the University of Vermont, an effort by numerous physicians to use the available technology. Their goal was to provide a patient’s data to a physician on a timely basis, and also to stimulate the instant data collection for the epidemiological projects as well as for medical and business auditing. This led to the development of an EMR program used by the Mayo Clinics, also in the 1960s. In 1970, the program was first used at the University of Vermont hospital to transmit medical information.
What issues are covered under EMR
Proponents of EMR are seeking a highly integrated medical record system to deliver individualized vital medical records over the Internet, accessible on computers among users such as hospitals, ambulances, physicians, and other health-care service professionals. The shared data includes the patient’s medical history, demographic data, immunization information, radiology images, laboratory tests, and even billing records.
Setback for EMR implementation
The EMR program suffered a setback in 2006 when U.S. Sens. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts and Mike Enzi from Wyoming introduced their version of EMR, a bill titled “Wired for Health Quality Act.” The bill passed in the Senate but was killed in the House of Representatives because of its cost. President George W. Bush created awareness about the EMR issue, but his administration ended without passing EMR legislation.
Prospects for EMR passage under Obama
President Obama has said numerous times that information technology would power many of his programs, particularly in education and health care. The president’s stimulus package addressed the EMR issue, and some money was appropriated toward further research of the EMR program. It is still too early to know what steps the Obama administration will initiate toward the full actualization of EMR.
Issues slowing down EHR adaptation in the United States
Issues of “interoperability” have slowed down the implementation of EMR in the United States. For the EMR program to work as intended, data must be communicated across different technology systems such as software applications. This would involve crossborder communications among different medical establishments sharing EMR data. Some argue that the EMR program would reduce profits for physicians, therefore there is little incentive among medical practitioners to share information. Some worry about issues of security and privacy.
