Document Management Blog | MES

The Importance of Electronic Medical Records in 2015

Written by Kevin D'Arcy | Jan 2, 2015 2:35:00 PM

Electronic medical records (EMRs) have been in use for many years, and many medical organizations have found them pretty useful. Thanks to rapid advances in the applications of this technology, 2015 will be a little different. For the new year, the importance of electronic medical records mandates their use. Here is why:

 

 

EMRs make it easier to analyze medical histories

Being able to effectively analyze a patient's medical history is critical for making the right decisions. That being said, EMRs make this much easier because of the following benefits:

More accurate diagnosis: Because electronic records provide complete details in legible prose, you can more effectively use them to determine how a patient's medical history is affecting their current health.

Faster diagnosis: Since EMRs can be accessed with the click of a button -- instead of via file requisitions or file cabinet sifting -- they allow for quicker diagnosis; this allows you to take care of patients more quickly.

Better treatments: A faster, more accurate diagnosis means better treatments for your patients.

Fewer errors will be present in medical histories: Errors in a patient's medical history can abound when paperwork gets muddled. EMRs do not face this problem. Hence, there will be fewer errors

Electronic medical records will help you save a lot of money

As Yale has demonstrated, even a small alteration in the amount of paper you use can save tens of thousands of dollars. That being said, switching to EMRs is a major alteration in the amount of paper you use, since a large portion of your paperwork comes from medical records.

 

EMRs will make you more efficient

Even with all of the alphabetizing and organization, having to sort through file cabinets to retrieve paper medical records is time consuming. You can make your entire team operate more efficiently by switching to electronic records, which can be accessed digitally with a simple search.

 

Electronic medical records reduce confusion

No matter how organized your team is, paperwork will inevitably get mixed up or lost. When this happens, it can be extremely difficult to properly care for a patient at all. This underlines the importance of EMRs, as this cannot happen to them.

 

You can access EMRs anywhere

Sometimes you will be required to take on tasks on the go. This does not mean that you have to approach a situation without all of the information you need. Electronic records allow you to access the information you need on the go.

 

Electronic medical records make it easier for patients as well

Your patients care about their own health and wellness, but are often at a loss as to what to do. With EMRs, you can give people access to the information that they need to better understand their own health and what they need to do.

This also allows for easy sharing with other medical organizations, so that you can better work together to take care of your patients' needs.

 

You can convert all of your current medical records to digital

Some medical organizations are hesitant to switch to EMRs because they fear that they won't be able to take their current medical records into the digital era with them. Fortunately, there are document management solutions that allow you to scan and organize your current medical records for digital use, so that you can provide better care to your patients.