How Electronic Health Records are Improving the Medical Field

Technological change is occurring in every field of service, and the medical field is no different. An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a digital patient chart. Paper-based charts are a thing of the past. What does this mean for patients, doctors, and medical facilities? A medical network system was created to maintain patient records and to improve the accuracy of patient care.

doctor with tablet - benefits of electronic health records

With the use of Electronic Health Records, an individual’s medical information can be compiled throughout his or her lifetime. This means the patient’s laboratory results, radiology image, diagnoses, and medications can be found in one central database. As soon as lab results are completed, the doctor has immediate access to test outcomes through their mobile device.

EHR’s Provide Fast, Reliable Information

In a world where doctors have to make life-changing decisions, they must have access to pertinent information expeditiously. Should the patient change the doctor or visit a specialist, the health records would be readily available. Electronic records significantly reduce medical errors, and patient confidentiality is still protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Moreover, patients can access their medical information at any time.

When patients are on critical alert and cannot provide the necessary information, it can result in overprescribed medication or drug interaction. For doctors and other healthcare providers, EHR’s are essential for obtaining the knowledge needed to make informed decisions. It makes communication between patients and providers simpler and more accurate. Doctors can quickly communicate with other health care providers and organizations such as emergency facilities, laboratories, specialists, and pharmacies. Collectively, this makes for a better outcome for patients and healthcare providers.

EHR’s help manage patient reminders for doctor visits, alerting providers to order tests and perform essential exams. It also works to accurately document codes for billing with labs and medical facilities. EHR’s are more reliable when it comes to communicating with pharmacies. It offers electronic convenience in sending prescriptions to be filled and referrals to specialists. Providers can file insurance claims almost immediately, which cuts down on the red tape. It also helps medical facilities cut back on the redundancy in filling out papers.

How a Medical Transcription Company Can Help

To maintain excellent records, a medical transcription company can play a vital role. Medical transcription is the process of transcribing voice-recorded medical reports. These reports are dictated by healthcare providers such as physicians, nurses, and specialists. These dictations are transcribed into patient records to provide essential information when needed.