Will EMR Software Help My Healthcare Practice Profits? | medicalrecords.com

A centerpiece in the national health care reform movement is the adoption of the electronic medical records (EMR) that promise to lower medical record storage and access costs, while improving their quality. This electronic health records software revolution could bring an end to millions of manila folders holding countless pieces of patient information and scribbled notes. In their place, proponents hope, are EMRs that can transport patient information in real time with the click of a button. EMR software seeks to create a more efficient, accurate and productive healthcare business, all at a lower cost.

Electronic Medical Record System Benefits

Medical electronic records contain a patient’s full medical history in a digital format, allowing immediate access to secure patient data. With an electronic medical record system, patients’ health and medication history, laboratory results and more are easily accessible by physicians and health care providers.

The reduced costs that are associated with an EMR system has the potential to save the health delivery system millions of dollars. Medical electronic records minimize waste and inefficiency of manual and paper-based processes, maximizing clinical quality at points of decision-making and eliminating most paper used in patient transcription. Plus, a million fewer sheets of paper copied each month support a much greener industry.

Electronic Health Records Software Saves Time

At hospitals with full electronic medical record systems, less than 4 percent of physician orders are written, thus eliminating almost all transcription errors. Satisfaction can increase as physicians are able to more easily retrieve complete patient medical electronic records information. Also, turnaround times for initial physician orders of ‘stat’ medications are on average reduced from 41 to 6 minutes.

Fewer phone calls to clarify physician orders and the increased efficiency of electronic health records software means more time for clinicians to help patients. Further advantages of EMR systems include the prevention of unnecessary orders and diagnostic tests, reduction of medical errors and improvement in patient care.

EMR Software Adoption

While research shows hospitals that adopt an electronic medical records system have better patient outcomes, less than 10 percent of US hospitals even have full EMR software systems. This means electronic medical records still have a long way to go to reach full optimization.

However, as each practice adds electronic health records software technology, the overall system gets larger, more efficient and better integrated.

TAKEAWAYS

Electronic health records software promises to create a more efficient, accurate and productive healthcare business, all at a lower cost.

Electronic medical record systems reduce turnaround times on physician medication orders

Less  than 10 percent of US hospitals have installed full EMR software

As more health professionals adopt medical electronic records the overall industry will become more efficient.