Dinosaurs, cavemen, extinction, oh my! Although old-fashioned, even cavemen would rather be fossilized before allowing their doctor to continue to keep a paper trail of their health history. With all things modernizing and grandparents text messaging smiley faces from the comfort of their iPhone’s, it is time to free yourself of the hassle of keeping up with paper medical records.
It has been about fifty years since the first discussion of Electronic Medical Records (EMR). So why is it taking some physicians so long to accept that the world of health as they once knew it is evolving? Maybe they are afraid that the use of computers to keep track of their sacred records will go haywire once the computers realize they are smart enough to work themselves and decide to take over like the robots of i-Robot. There is no way machines are going to put them out of a job! They must come to the realization that i-Robot is just a movie and there was once a time where even cavemen decided it was time to get on the path to becoming the ever so clever human being. It is time for paper charts to go the way of all things extinct.
However, us humans love to stick to good old tradition. Physicians are too busy trying to help patients and save lives to take the time out and get to know a brand new system. Yet, as brilliant as we should be, we should realize that we do not have secret cameras in our minds that photograph pieces of paper just in case we lose one of the pieces and need to remember what was on it. Many patients and doctors alike can relate to having to repeat the same questions and answers before they can get to the real nature of the visit. For those who travel a lot and move between cities, states and countries, it would be a lot easier to have their medical history electronically recorded. It would cut out repetition, which would save a lot of time as well as make sure that no portions of records were forgotten with the last physician. Doctors will no longer be forced to keep their own individual chart for every patient because with EMR, there will be one unified record on every patient. Patients will no longer be forced to overheat their minds trying to remember things about their health from months and years ago because parts of their records have come up missing. Patients will also no longer have to remember to pick up their x-rays from their doctors before relocating and replacing their usual doctor with someone brand new. EMRs can easily be transferred between doctors instantly at any time and in any location.
Additionally, EMRs reduce the chance for error when it comes to mixing up charts because folders came crashing down to the floor creating a sea of papers, pictures and x-rays. It allows each patient’s risk factors to be identified so that they can be provided with the most efficient and expeditious care once they step into the doctor’s office. It is ensured that all the information in an EMR will be up to date with complete notes, which lessens room for error. Also, patients would love the prevention of insurance paybacks with the use of EMR. Since everything is on record, including billing, there is no room for sneak attacks to their wallets, especially since the information is available for the patients to view. Despite the concern that there will be no privacy since records are so easily accessible, according to Fig Gungor, HIPAA protects the privacy of the patient because the EMRs are only accessible in a legally compliant manner. That not only makes this system more reliable, it makes it safer as well. Furthermore, the EMR software recommends treatment plans that are appropriate for the specific needs of individual patients so that they receive optimum care.
With all of this in mind, is any physician still hesitant to upgrade from paper to electronics? Moreover, the use of all things electronic allows for the ease of knowing exactly where patient referrals come from and which patients actually make appointments. Rest assured it is also easy to bill those patients before their toes even take a peek out of the office.