Within the healthcare industry, Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are one of the most debated topics being discussed today. In more than one way, the Information Technology has influenced the Modernizing healthcare industry in hopes of automating the various processes and organizations. Along with streamlining clinical as well as administrative operations for care providers, technology facilitates care providers in saving lives.
Research suggests that physicians, like in so many other countries such as England, Germany and Denmark, are replacing traditional documentation systems with the latest EMRs.
Developments emerging due to the usage of EMR software has led to the ’going paperless’, component, being the least important benefit of this technology. This means that physicians as well as industry experts have started to realize the myriad of advantages this technology has over traditional paper charts.
Addressing the need of the hour, collaborative care management, built-in interaction checks, audit trails and health maintenance alerts are helping physicians provide better quality care.
Physician’s interest has been considerably raised, especially with the government trying to promote the usage and implementation of EMR software with financial incentives offered through the Meaningful Use Program.
It is high time to realize that an EMR has become an asset for physicians, with more than $14.4 billion already provided to over 76000 physicians in the country. Certainly an opportunity to earn thousands of dollars by merely complying with specific standards aimed at raising quality healthcare provision is not a bad deal for healthcare professionals.
Making EMR one of the finest investment instruments for healthcare providers, the financial incentives accompanied with reduced cost of paper and elimination of administrative hassle work for the betterment of both providers and patients.
Since many physicians are edgy when making this technological commitment or are simply unaware of the benefits of adoption, the implementation of EMRs is a tedious job.
To help providers feel more comfortable, many established EMR vendors are now offering free consultation, assessment and demonstration services.
Even with proven statistics that show the benefits of using Electronic Medical Record softwares, there are always going to be those that support the promotion and adoption of EMR technology.
There is no doubt in the fact that the benefits of using an EMR, for both physician and the patient; outweigh the costs of switching to this technology.
Electronic Medical Records are seen as an inevitable change. It is up to the physicians to adapt to this change as soon as possible, or stay behind and use systems that will become obsolete.
