EMR, or electronic medical records, are secure, digital medical records that can be created as part of a health information system that allows recovery, storage and amendments of patient records. As the storage costs of paper records and films increase and become scarce, health care providers are finding the review process of patient’s records, a time consuming and impractical procedure. Sometimes patient’s records are required in multiple locations for review, and medical professionals may find the process in transporting the records and files a time consuming and expensive exercise. Long term storage of paper records are impractical to maintain, compared to digital records, where scarce storage facilities are not a concern. Electronic records may help to regulate terminology, abbreviations, data input and poor legibility issues, normally associated with hand written paper records. Processing of the digital information may also assist with the collection of data for clinical studies and can be continuously updated. Implementation of digital information storing, can facilitate an improvement in billing collection and the verification of patient’s insurance eligibility and benefit information. Some systems may be able to automatically monitor clinical activities and may potentially predict, identify and preempt an emergency situation. Digital records can facilitate integration with devices and external departments, such as labs, pharmacies, picture archives and other diagnostic facilities. It may also pave the way for e-scribing and direct patient communication through email. This facilitation can further be integrated with direct access using hand held devices. Vendors of these systems can correctly advise which package to purchase and how the implementation process begins. Finance assistance may be available to clients who are evaluating their options. A number of implementation incentives have been put in place for both physicians and patients. The introduction of EMR in medical practices may assist in streamlining complete patient profiles and may offer time and money saving procedures that may benefit both physician and patient. Digital information records may assist an ease of access to data and information in multiple locations, by multiple users.
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