subject: All You Wanted To Know About Electronic Medical Records [print this page] It has been recently reported in a survey that most health care facilities in the United States have stated adopting the benefits of information technology. One of the biggest offering of information to the healthcare technology is in the form of electronic medical records. These records have helped to bring about some revolutionary changes in the current health care system.
The section below helps to focus on the various aspects of electronic medical records
What is an electronic medical record?
In simple words, an electronic medical record is a digital document that contains vital information related to a persons health. These records are stored in huge databases and are easily accessed with the help of appropriate authorization. Hospitals, outpatient facilities and clinics make use of these records to provide appropriate medical assistance.
What is the difference between an electronic medical record and electronic health records?
In most cases, there is no specific difference between an electronic medical record and an electronic health record. However, an electronic medical record is used for storing patients information by a single clinic or a medical organization. On the other hand, an electronic health record is accessible to a variety of clinics or medical facilities. It is more comprehensive and contains more information in comparison to an electronic medical record.
How are electronic records better than paper records?
Electronic records are better in comparison to paper record for its ease of maintenance. In the United States, paper records are generally maintained for a span of seven years. In contrast, electronic records can be maintained for unlimited time. In matters of accuracy, electronic records have an edge over paper records.
What are the advantages of having electronic medical record?
The advantages of having an electronic medical record includes a cleaner and greener environment as they are eco friendly and do not utilize paper. There are easy to manage and offer the medical professionals an escape from the undue paperwork and provide better health care. The security of the patients is not compromised as these records adhere to HIPAA act. The chances of human error are reduced and these records can be easily exchanged between practices.
