Electronic Medical Records

Electronic medical records are computer-based patient medical records. Physicians' offices and hospitals throughout the United States are increasingly using them because they offer certain advantages over conventional paper-based medical records. Such records are also useful in processing health insurance claims and following up with patients. A key benefit to medical providers is the instant availability of data once it is entered electronically, and the space and labor savings resulting from the elimination of paper-based records.

Electronic medical records are readily accessible, increasingly standardized for seamless use where and when required, and greatly reduce the likelihood of error in either entry or interpretation of medical information. Having a patient's medical and contact information readily available can be potentially life-saving during critical medical events such as severe allergic reactions or heart attacks. By reducing errors and saving time, electronic medical records may therefore help reduce the large number of deaths attributed to medical error in the United States each year.

In order to enter medical information into an electronic medical record, special software is required. The electronic medical records software industry is rapidly growing, and such software is becoming increasingly sophisticated. While basic software allows for entry of physician orders and notes and nurses' notes, more advanced software may include error-checking programs, the capacity to synchronize with hand-held data devices, and other advanced features that increase the utility of records.

As electronic medical records are more widely used, concerns regarding the protection of patients' confidential medical information and privacy have increased. In 1996, the US Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and a more stringent Privacy Rule went into effect in 2003. HIPAA sets required national standards for medical records, guarantees patients the right to see their own medical records, and requires providers to inform patients how their medical information is used and disclosed.

Electronic Medical Records provides detailed information on Electronic Medical Records, Electronic Medical Record Software, Electronic Medical Record Systems, Electronic Medical Record Companies and more. Electronic Medical Records is affiliated with HIPAA Laws.

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Electronic Health Records - What You Need to Know

If you're involved in Healthcare, then you're probably already using Electronic Health Records, and know the many benefits that they can provide. If not, then here's what you need to know.

1. Electronic Health Records are quick to update on computer, and so the healthcare professional, such as a GP, can immediately enter the treatment given, or the medication prescribed, for example. There is no need to write this down on paper.

2. As these new sorts of health records are more up to date, they are also more accurate. There's no need for handwritten notes or illegible handwriting anymore.

3. Thanks to these new sorts of records, a patient's history is available at any NHS surgery or hospital, so that no matter where their usual GP or hospital is, the NHS professional treating them, will be able to know all they need to know immediately. This can range from current medication, allergies or previous operations or conditions that may affect treatment.

4. The security of these records is of paramount importance, and only authorised people will be able to access them. If the security of the building is breached, or if there is a fire or flood, paper based records could be vulnerable, but this won't be the case now.

5. Images such as X Rays and ultrasounds can be accessed quickly and easily, and so if there are any complications, a second opinion is required, or any other reasons, there is no need to send the images via taxi or courier. This will in turn save the NHS both time and money, and increase the efficiency of patient care.

6. A patient's medical history can be shared between doctors and dentists and nurses. This means that it will be immediately evident if a person has just had dental work, or an operation, or has any allergies, or there any other issues that might affect their treatment.

7. Electronic Health Records won't get lost, as they are electronic. There will be no mislaying them in the wrong place, or disposing of them in error. In addition, when a patient moves, their medical records can be sent electronically, rather than by post or courier. This saves time and money, and again, means that they won't get lost.

8. The new Electronic Health Records are also more efficient because they don't use paper. They are quicker to access, update and store, and are more environmentally friendly. This helps to save the planet, as well as time and money for the NHS.

9. Less storage space is required too, as Electronic Health Records are saved on a computer, rather than requiring the filing cabinet, or even dedicated room that paper based medical records need.

10. Because more time can be spent treating patients, the NHS is becoming more efficient and effective, and can fully concentrate on providing the healthcare required by patients.

Now you know more about how technology is changing the NHS, perhaps it's time for you to see how else Electronic Health Records are improving the NHS.

Find out more about Electronic Health Records and how System C is implementing the Connecting For Health programme to improve the NHS, at SystemC.com today.

Electronic Medical Records - A Critical Factor For Implementation Success

There's no question that an electronic medical record system can improve your practice's efficiency and productivity. However, without full buy-in from everyone on your staff, you'll never achieve the performance results you anticipate.

It's one thing to know that you need staff buy-in, it's another thing entirely to know how to get it. Here are the steps to take to get participation, cooperation and collaboration from staff members at all levels, and increase your chances for a more rapidly successful electronic medical record implementation.

Convey The Urgent Need For Change

Making a major change in your medical practice is hard enough. Trying to make that change when people don't recognize the need for it is a recipe for failure.

Everyone in your practice needs to understand the factors that make the new electronic medical record system desirable or even essential - for example: the ability to streamline work and enhance patient care, the opportunity to reduce costs and increase productivity, and the ability to adapt to changes in patient needs, 3rd party demands and new government requirements.

However, while you may make a great logical case for change, people don't make decisions based on logic alone. Emotions are a powerful factor. You need to make sure that your staff not only understands the logical reasons for implementing the electronic medical records system, but also understands what the consequences will be to them personally if the implementation isn't successful.

When you present the new electronic medical records system as a way for the practice to continue to operate profitably - despite challenges, to continue to provide quality care to your patients, and to continue to provide your valued staff with employment, you're likely to capture their attention.

Keep People Informed

People don't really fear change. What triggers fear is uncertainty.

The worst thing you can do is to keep people in the dark about your plans. This encourages rumors and leads people to start grumbling about their jobs and worrying about their futures.

When it comes to implementing an electronic medical record system in the practice, one of the biggest concerns people have is whether the new technology will take away their jobs.

In light of today's economic realities, no one really expects guarantees of job security. However, what they can and should expect are honest answers to tough questions.

People will want to know:
How the electronic medical record system will impact their work and their futures
What new expectations you and the practice have of them
What new skills they will need to meet these expectations
How they will be trained and supported for these new challenges
How their performance will be assessed
The fact is, the new electronic medical record system will make some tasks unnecessary, and some skills irrelevant. However it's important for you to recognize, and to communicate to everyone, that when work gets reorganized, and when certain tasks are no longer necessary, people can be moved to more profitable activities. For example, if implementing the new electronic medical record system will allow you to increase your patient load, you may need staff to shift to more patient-centered activities in order to take advantage of these new opportunities.

Harness the Power of Collaboration

Regardless how large your practice is, a new IT system will impact the work of staff members at all levels. To get the maximum value from that system, and to increase the speed of getting to that value, you need discretionary effort and enthusiastic collaboration from everyone in your practice.

First, when it comes to designing the system and reengineeringing the workflow, you must get your staff's perspective. They are closest to much of the work of the practice and can offer suggestions and ideas that can facilitate implementation and reduce the expenses and the temporary productivity slow-downs that inevitably accompany any new electronic medical record system implementation.

Second, if you want to mobilize people to not only cooperate, but to give their best effort, you need to allow them to participate in developing plans. You may have heard the expression,"People who plan the battle, rarely battle the plan." If staff members at all levels are involved with the development of the implementation strategy, they will have a vested interest in its success.

The way to do that is through a series of interactive workshop-style staff meetings that elicit staff ideas and engage staff members in creating their own future.

Show People What's In It For Them

The real secret of successful change management is to show people what's in it for them. You can accomplish this in two ways.

First, by showing how the electronic medical record system will positively impact people's work and enhance their job satisfaction. For example, once implemented, will the system eliminate the frustration of lost charts and information? Reduce tedious tasks? Improve documentation and coding accuracy? Allow staff to get home earlier?

The second way to show people what's in it for them is to attach rewards and recognition to specific goals and milestones. Offering team bonuses for increased practice productivity, increased referrals and increased patient satisfaction can be very effective in building a cooperative environment. However, it can take a while to get to significant performance increases.

Establishing intermediate milestones, "small wins" - like getting a specific system module successfully up and running, or achieving a certain reduction in transcription usage - can go a long way to building momentum and can help to convert any lingering skeptics.

These kind of rewards and recognition are tangible pay-offs that fuel the fire of motivation.

Jane S. Adler, MD is founder and president of NeoVista Health Strategies, a provider of resources and information for higher performance in healthcare. She is a co-creator of The Road to Excellence System? for maximizing staff performance and productivity in clinical practices, and author of How to Position Your Clinical Practice for Outstanding Success and A Profitable Practice is Everyone's Business.

For more strategies and tips on maximizing the performance and productivity of your practice, and to download a complimentary copy of 7 Steps to a Higher Performing Clinical Practice visit: http://www.neovistahealth.com.

How Electronic Medical Records Can Impact Your Medical Practice

Last month was the first in a two-part series of questions and answers on documentation. This month, I will be expanding into the realm of electronic medical records (EMRs) with some common concerns and questions.

What does the economic stimulus package have to do with medical records?

The economic stimulus plan, as approved by the House and Senate in February, included sizable funding in several areas related to health information technology. $300 million was allocated to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology's regional or sub-national efforts. Another $20 million was allocated for the Department of Commerce's health care information enterprise integration activities related to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. $50 million was indicated for the Department of Health and Human Services computer and information technology security. Obviously, with this kind of financial impact, the proliferation of electronic medical records is a major focus at the federal level.

How will this focus by the government impact my practice?

One provision of the government stimulus package would impose reduced payments from federal programs on physicians who are not "meaningfully using" information technology. Although there will be some interpretation issues related to the actual meaning of that phrase, it is absolutely clear that there is a significant push for the health industry to go electronic. Additionally, President Obama has been very vocal about the utilization of electronic medical records to modernize health care in the United States.

Are there any real financial benefits to going electronic?

Initial studies indicate that electronic health records may reduce malpractice settlements for physicians and insurance companies, which could result in lowered premiums. In a Harvard study. 6.1% of physicians with electronic records had malpractice settlements, compared to 10.8% without electronic records. The researchers believe that malpractice claims are decreased with electronic records because they offer easy access to a patient's history, which leads to fewer errors and clear documentation in case of litigation.

How would electronic records benefit my practice?

As with any topic, there are proponents and opponents to the concept. Those in favor of electronic records say that it has improved the quality of their practice in both patient care and costs. Specific benefits include better billing control, remote working capabilities, workflow advantages, better decision support, easier reporting, and more complete information relating to patient history and treatment.

What are the detriments to electronic records?

Those opposed to electronic records primarily cite loss of productivity, high maintenance requirements, and a negative impact on patient care. Practitioners at large healthcare facilities complain that it is primarily usurped by the administration as a storage device for medical records, rather than a resource for the medical and nursing staff. Others complain that more time is spent in staff meetings discussing electronic issues and problems than patient care. Many physicians also complain that the inputting of information is cumbersome and takes time away from the patient encounter.

How do I choose a system that's right for me?

Much like the concept itself, every system seems to have its fans and its detractors. The best bet would be to talk to peers with similar practices who have already gone electronic. Ask them about the good points and the bad points of their system. Arrange to see it in operation - and talk to the support staff about it as well. Once you've done your research, you are ready to begin talking with vendors, assessing financial considerations and making your choice.

Will I need to worry about security in relation to data theft?

Absolutely! Medical records are becoming a major target of identity thieves. Work with your vender and your Internet technology expert to develop a strong firewall defense to protect your data.

What about backing up the information?

There are two main ways to do this - internally or externally. If you choose to maintain your own backup on a disk, be sure that you also have a backup of the actual EMR program and that it is stored in a safe and separate location. Externally your EMR vendor may offer offsite, online backup, or you can take advantage of a myriad of online storage resources. Make sure that your contract with such vendors ensures that your data will be available to you when arranging long-term storage or transfer.

Regardless of your position on electronic records, the final outcome is inevitable. Our future is electronic and trying to stop it is akin to standing on the shore and stopping the waves from coming ashore. But whether you are operating in a paper world or the electronic realm, medical records are essential to proper patient care, financial protection of your practice, and the defense against malpractice claims.

J Michael Rosenthal, ARM - President and CEO, RGI Insurance Services

Mike Rosenthal is an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and CEO of RGI Insurance Services. RGI Insurance Services provides all types of insurance for doctors and medical groups such as medical malpractice, workers compensation and group benefits as well as risk management services, human resource services and OSHA compliance services.

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