EMRs, or electronic medical records, play a critical role in how healthcare practitioners store medical records, provide treatment and manage finances. The benefits of EMR software also extend beyond quality patient care through incentive programs for healthcare organizations. They’re especially important to single practice facilities and family physicians who aren’t necessarily sharing patient records across disciplines on a regular basis.

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Switching to electronic records after years of paper record keeping sounds daunting, right? Don’t fret; we’re here to show you some of the EMR benefits to expect if you do and offer some means of achieving them.

Table of Contents

• What is an EMR?
• Achieve Meaningful Use
• Difference Between EHR and EMR
• Benefits of EMR
• Disadvantages of EMR
• The Next Steps
• Final Thoughts

What is EMR?

Simply put, an EMR are digital records that providers use to record patient health data. EMR systems provide interfaces and a host of functionalities to healthcare facilities, big and small. They are used to process insurance claims, manage payments, schedule patient visits, add new patients, share information and record patient health data. They also let clinics integrate with reimbursement and regulatory changes for ICD-10, HIPAA 5010 and meaningful use standards.

They typically include medical history, doctor’s notes, diagnoses, lab results, medications, allergies and immunization dates. Online records of standard clinical and medical data from a provider’s office are used for treatment and diagnosis. Accurately documenting a patient’s medical history reduces diagnosis errors and helps provide appropriate care.

The evolution of EMR began in the 1960s when physicians began recording patient health problems instead of just their treatments. This practice allows third-party vendors to check diagnoses seamlessly. As computers and the internet became popular, digitally transferring and recording medical records became essential.

They also let clinics integrate with reimbursement and regulatory changes for ICD, HIPAA 5010 and meaningful use standards. “Meaningful use” became compulsory for all private and public healthcare facilities in 2014 with the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Achieve Meaningful Use

HealthIT.gov defines the objectives of meaningful use as the following:

• Engage individuals and families
• Improve efficiency, safety and quality
• Reduces errors
• Improve public health and care coordination
• Maintain security and privacy of patient health data

As of today, medical records are more accessible and comprehensive than before, thanks to EMR and EHR software. System upgrades and refinements are improving clinic management and patient-physician interactions.

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Differences Between EMR and EHR

The terms EHR and EMR have become synonymous, and while speaking of one, we cannot ignore the other. While some features may overlap, they have a few differences. EMR contain comprehensive records and additional information, while EHR take the same data and make it shareable across clinics, health institutions and authorized providers. They’re comprehensive patient-history records that are shareable across providers, enabling better care.

Their uses are also different: single providers use EMR for treatment, care and diagnosis, while the other enables multiple providers to access records for diagnosis, decision making and care beyond a single provider’s clinic. Essentially, both have different roles to play in patient care.

Benefits and Advantages

The benefits and advantages of electronic medical records are two-pronged: they are beneficial for both patients and clinics. Let’s take a look at them below:

For Patients:

• Fewer errors compared to paper records.
• Better and quicker care.
• Track results and data over time.
• Improve treatment and diagnosis.
• Identify patients who require screenings and preventive care.
• Better patient health data security and privacy.
• Supports data-based decisions.
• Receive follow-up support like reminders, weblinks and self-care suggestions.
• Patients can access their records, view prescriptions and follow recommended lifestyle changes.

For Clinics:

• Save Space: Clinics don’t need to store, manage and retrieve paper records, thus saving space.
• Optimize Workflows: EMR help optimize workflows, keep track of patients and manage patients who visit the medical facility.
• Lower Operational Costs: They reduce operational costs by keeping records in one place.
• Contact Other Medical Facilities: Clinics can interface with laboratories, pharmacies, hospitals and state and national health systems.
• Scalable: They help customize and scale patient records.
• Enables Outreach: Clinics can gather patient data and analyze it. This accessibility helps providers reach discrete populations, improving overall health.
• Reminders: EMR have communication capabilities that let clinics send reminders and alerts.
• Documentation: They reduce errors during documentation, improving care.
• Supports Research: Documenting patient records digitally supports research, and users can monitor patients for better care quality.
• Checks Conflicting Treatments: They have safeguards that prevent treatments that may conflict with each other.
• Communication Between Staff: They track messages between staff, hospitals, labs and other clinicians.
• Avoid Duplicate Tests: Without timely access to test results, physicians may have to order repeat tests. Keeping physicians up-to-date on previous tests reduces the need for repeats. It is especially important when tests are expensive, uncomfortable and invasive.
• Links to Other Health Information: EMR connect to public health records like communicable diseases and other health registries.

EMR record information and leverage it to help clinics meet their business goals. For example, they check prescribed medications for conflicts with health conditions and other medications. Unlike paper records, they can also identify and help prevent operational issues.

Beyond providing better care and improved systems, using these systems, the benefits of EMR software extend to financial improvement. They reduce overtime expenses and operational expenses over time, reducing the financial burden on medical facilities. Better patient care and efficient billing processes also add to the bottom line.

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Disadvantages

The disadvantages of EMR are not within the systems themselves. Rather, the initial investment, implementation and training to use them. Since their implementation is customized according to each clinic’s requirements, every implementation comes with its own timeline and challenges. Typically, the software vendor appoints a specialist who guides clinicians through the entire implementation cycle. Other possible disadvantages include:

• Prone to Hacking: While digital records are safer and more secure than maintaining physical papers, data breaches have become common. Certified systems have built-in security measures that protect patient data, but the clinic’s staff need training to maintain basic security measures. For example, leaving workstations unattended may leave them open to unauthorized access.
• Require Updates: Other supporting medical professionals like pharmacists and personal trainers may use the same health record system, and it becomes imperative to update records after every appointment. If records are not updated frequently, they may adversely affect treatment due to inaccurate data.
• Device Management: Not being able to access devices because of location, power cuts or no internet may disrupt patient care, diagnosis and treatment. Physicians may even forget to carry their devices during rounds, creating gaps in records.

It’s hard to ignore the shortcomings of these platforms. However, you can overcome them by implementing proper workflows and training providers and support staff.

Next Steps

• Contact your Regional Extension Center (REC): Medical practices should contact their local REC to check for reduced prices or free support eligibility. Local RECs can help guide medical practices to choose, implement and adopt meaningful use.
• Begin an EMR requirements checklist: Defining specific needs, or what you want out of software, is the foundation for selecting the best EMR system for your organization.
• Take a look at some of the top-rated EMR systems: Defining specific needs, or what you want out of software, is the foundation for selecting the best EMR system for your organization.
• Ask for help: Our team is here to assist you in finding an EMR you can truly benefit from.

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Final Thoughts

In the end, we can say that EMR benefits outweigh their disadvantages. While implementing EMR software, the initial and training costs must be kept in mind. Selecting an EMR takes careful consideration from the start. Switching systems is costly in terms of money, time and training costs. The future of EMR lies in reducing security concerns and proper implementation.

How have the benefits of EMR helped your practice boost efficiency and patient care? Let us know in the comments below.

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