Since the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act was passed, electronic health records (EHRs) have become the standard for healthcare facilities. Hospitals, clinics, wellness centers, and private practices can all benefit from EHRs. This system allows better access to patient information, as well as improved preventative health measures and more charge capture. However, there are still some challenges that come with using electronic health records. It’s important for healthcare businesses to learn their EHR system to better understand how to input and save important patient data.
Keep in mind that an EHR is only effective when it’s a support tool for effective recordkeeping methods. If EHR technology isn’t supported with thorough processes, hospitals will have to invest in complex and costly technology that generates more waste in a system that is already inefficient.
Healthcare providers and vendors were expected to recognize and get rid of process waste when EHR was new. This allowed more healthcare facilities to ensure that the system worked well and was especially efficient before investors backed EHR.
Due to the implementation of EHR, clinics, hospitals, and medical companies can eliminate waste and create concise, informative patient records. However, it’s important to make sure there are no glitches or serious flaws in the EHR systems so this method of recordkeeping won’t turn into a problem for medical businesses.
If you’re thinking about adopting a new EHR system for your company, here are some of the reasons your hospital could benefit from this technology.
Efficient Data Accessibility
Before the rise of EHRs, medical chart access involved a significant amount of physical labor. For instance, each time a patient came to the hospital or doctor’s office, a medical assistant or nurse had to pull the patient’s file from a storage cabinet. The medical staff member then had to transport or deliver the records to the appropriate physician and the records had to be stamped and sorted — all during the patient’s visit. This process increased the chances for human error. Patient charts would sometimes have incorrect or missing information. About five out of the 15 charts that were pulled during an average day were unavailable at some point during the day. This resulted in wasted space and time, as well as sub-standard care for patients.
Instant Accessibility
EHRs have eliminated the need to physically transport, sift, and file patient charts. This means a patient’s health information is available at any time. Some EHR systems allow remote access to medical charts. This means clinicians don’t have to be on-site to securely access patient records.
EHRs reduce inventory and storage, which frees up office space within an office or hospital. Electronic records eliminate unnecessary movement in the office and improve patient flow. EHRs are programmed for timely batch delivery and increases the likelihood of attentive patient care.
Electronic Doctor Order Entry
Programs like CPOE allow doctors to place imaging and lab orders, as well as prescriptions and other notices for patient care electronically. This cuts down on error since the orders aren’t hand-written. Any other doctors of the patient who are within the EHR network can access the physician’s order and provide necessary services for the patient in a timely manner. For instance, a patient has a prescription from his/her cardiologist and the cardiologist is in the same EHR as the patient’s primary care physician, the physician has access to the patient’s information and can follow up on the patient’s heart condition(s) during the next visit. This cuts down on time and filing mistakes so the patient won’t be prescribed duplicate prescriptions. This also reduces the chances of drug interactions which helps the patient avoid drug interactions.
EHRs and Charge Capture
Healthcare facilities keep track of or capture when and how a patient utilizes hospital resources. These resources can include medical supplies, equipment, diagnostic testing, hospital staff services, and mediation. All of these charges are recorded; the patient or third-party payers are billed. Charge capture can be complicated since some resources are easily overlooked. This is why charge capture is essential for EHRs since this feature records charges accurately and boosts the chances for efficient reimbursement.
EHR and Preventative Health
EHRs make preventative health screenings easier and faster. During urgent care visits or routine doctor appointments, the physician has access to a patient’s preventative health records all in one place. For instance, if a patient needs to have a cancer screening or needs a blood pressure testing, the physician can easily look up this information with the EHR system and schedule the patient’s appointment.
EHRs permit data analysis to mine the records system. So, if all the patients in the network need a hemoglobin A1C and cholesterol check for the year, you can send a notice to all patients who fit this description. This is efficient and could eventually eliminate the need for paper notifications from the doctor’s office.
