An electronic medical record, or EMR, give health care providers the opportunity to keep track of a patient’s medical information. Computer programs, such as Epic, are used to manage patient EMRs in healthcare facilities and doctors’ offices. Multiple healthcare providers can access EMRs simultaneously. This allows doctors to consult with each other regarding a patient’s condition and prevents delays that would occur if only one copy of the patient’s information was available.
Instructions
1. Teach physicians how to collect the information needed to create an EMR for a patient. Information such as a patient’s medical history, medication list and allergies are needed to create an EMR. Provide the doctor with a list of questions to ask patients in order to gather the necessary information. Show physicians where to write down and keep the information collected. This is beneficial for those who are unable to enter the information into the EMR immediately after it is collected.
2. Provide physicians with instructions on how to log onto the Epic program. Assign each doctor his own user ID and password that will grant him access to the system. Explain how to create new EMR files. Also, instruct them how to open existing files. Show the physician how to open each section of the EMR by clicking on the appropriate information field.
3. Show the doctor how to enter the patient information into the appropriate section of the EMR. Explain what information is to be entered into each section. For example, the patient’s medical history section may be divided into two categories, one for medical conditions and one for surgical procedures. Provide instructions on how to click on the appropriate section and enter the patient information manually or by scanning information into the system.
4. Give each physician the opportunity to practice using the Epic EMR program prior to use in the facility. Provide examples of the information needed to create an EMR. Allow the doctor to practice accessing the system and entering the information into the correct field. Review the practice EMR files to assure the physician knows how to use the system properly. Offer advice or tips how to make the process fast and efficient such as taking time after each patient to dictate information that will be later entered into the system.
