While HIT insiders and pundits take it as a given that installing an EMR benefits everyone, it’s not so obvious to some gun-shy practices. Even researchers like myself switch gears every time I try to explain what EMR technology can do.
That’s why I was pleased to come across the following blog item. This piece offers a very solid list of twelve reasons why EMRs can improve patient care, including the following (in no particular order of importance):
* EMRs are less subject to physical damage and data loss than paper records, as the data can be backed up and stored elsewhere.
* EMRs reduce wait times for patients, as there’s no need to wait for a receptionist to pull a chart and get it to the treating clinician.
* Data stored in an EMR can be sent more easily to other clinicians than when using a paper record. (This may not be true if the EMR is balky — in reality, only an HIE can really fulfill this promise — but it should be true.)
* EMRs that integrate e-prescribing reduce the risk that a patient will get the wrong drug/dose, as poorly-written prescriptions stop being an issue.
The piece also notes that with an EMR in place, practices should have neater workspaces to use (no paper accumulation) and have better access to care documentation during emergencies.
Now, to inject a note of skepticism here, it’s unlikely that most practices will realize all of these benefits quickly.
In particular, I highly doubt that practices will be able to cut back on paper quickly, since if nothing else, they’ll have to do something with the reams of letters and faxes that other providers send to them, and possibly images as well. (It’s no coincidence that the author works for an HIT consulting firm.)
Still, it’s good to see a well-rounded wrap-up of how EMRs might support day-to-day patient care. It’s easy to assume that everyone understands EMRs’ potential — but I’d argue that many clinicians are just beginning to draw these conclusions.
That being said, would you add any clinical care benefits to our blogger’s list? Would you disagree with any of his conclusions?
Clinical Benefits are definitely available , but they don’t necessarily influence Patient care directly…Most of these benefits fall under 2 categories:
1. Compliance and Prevention on Erros
2. Trending and Analysis which plays a strong role in understanding and creating benchmarks
Besides these, clinical care benefits seem to be more specialization oriented…
Let me add to what’s been discussed in Katherine’s post. If you call your paper based physician after hours, your records are locked up in the office. That puts the burden of your medical history, meds, visits, etc., on you.
This is a dangerous practice for both you and your doctor. Patients with an established physician should not be the keepers of their health history and information. Physicians should not have to operate in the dark. Almost any EMR eliminates this common but dangerous situation and restores the proper patient – physician roles. Any practice that chooses to prolong its paper system should have its liability rates raised accordingly.
Great point, Carl.
Carl that is an excellent point…
Carl,
I’m interested in how you got a hold of your doctor after hours. I guess I can’t necessarily say I’ve tried (thankfully), but I’d probably just head to the emergency room or quick care if needed after hours.
I go over to his house and threaten to shoot out his porch lights.
Actually, someone in his practice is always on call. It’s a small group and they have an EMR so whoever answers can see my file.
Nice. I guess lately I do have an even better approach. A few times I’ve just called one of my doctor friends that I’ve worked with and asked them about some after hours issues. Luckily, nothing very serious. Although, it is the advantage of having a lot of doctor friends.
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