Electronic Medical Records

By: Megan Aldworth

Rather than having a colossal amount of files and patient records physicians now have access to Electronic Medical Records (EMRs). EMRs allow doctors track medical records over time, identify those patients in need of frequent screening and visits, and monitor vaccinations and prescriptions. The electronic documentation of these trends can help better community health by tracking trends and monitoring care. Not only can EMRs help medical professions organize information, but they can allow patients to have easier access to their own records.

In a technological savvy time, many people want health information at easy access, preferably through the internet. Electronic Medical Records allow this access, in fact 85%-96% of patients say electronic systems are useful in delivering care. They also can improve safety for patients by reducing the occurrences of medical errors that happen due to illegible handwriting and through better documentation of allergies to prescriptions. Patients can have better communication with their physicians through the use of EMRs.

Although Electronic Medical Records can be helpful to doctors and patients, they can provide some downfalls including risk of medical identity theft, data loss, difficulty transitioning from paper documentation, and technological savviness. Since medical records are electronic and available to users online, the risk of hacking is present. Hackers can breach the system’s security and gain access to information and alter information. Another big risk is data loss, which can occur if a computer crashes, putting a lot of stress on medical professionals to recover data.

Physicians must also learn how to properly navigate through EMR software, causing older and less technologically experienced doctors to reform the way in which they learned to document records as well as learn how to properly use the system. Although these downfalls are possible, identity theft is unlikely with proper security measures being improved consistently and physicians are learning to reform the way they do medical care.

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"Definition and Benefits of Electronic Medical Records (EMR)." HealthIT.gov. Web. 26 Mar. 2016. <https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/electronic-medical-records-emr>.

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