It is hard to deny that electronic medical records (EMR) can offer hospitals and other health providing facilities a better way to provide patients with health care. Concise, organized medical records can only improve the process of any type of medical treatment being provided. Hospitals and medical treatment facilities are in the process of converting their paper charts to electronic medical records (EMR). While EMR scanning can be a time consuming practice and the initial investment may appear to be costly, advocates of EMR propose that the system will eventually result in greater cost savings and produce a more efficient health care system.
Most health care workers know that there are many hassles in dealing with paper charts. Hand-written charts are often difficult to read and paper files can be cumbersome and hard to manage with any degree of efficiency. Also, paper charts are not a cost-effective method, because they require a great deal of available storage space. Electronic medical records that are stored in computer data bases reduce storage costs and repetitive office supply costs. In addition to consuming a great deal of office space, paper files, which are typically handled by various people, are not the most sanitary record keeping system and sanitary concerns should always be a concern in any health care environment. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for paper files to be misplaced because they are constantly being transferred from person to person.
Probably the most advantageous aspect of EMR scanning is that health care teams have greater access to medical records, which gives them a greater ability to coordinate patient care. Doctors within the same institution, or at various locations, can easily share patient information. This convenience saves valuable time because it eliminates the need for phone calls, emails, and faxes between physicians and staff. EMR technology is safer for patients and reduces physician liability because it can avoid unnecessary duplication testing and prevent any medication conflicts.