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improve the accuracy of the information you
have — as well as the efficiency of your pre-
admission process — by inviting patients to
supply it themselves. Some EMRs let them
sign in to access online forms from their
computers at home, where they can easily
refer to their own records and medications, and enter a wealth of information
before they even arrive on the day of surgery, saving your staff much time and
effort.
Healthcare providers have a strong interest in patients being involved in their
own care. At this stage, the capability of EMRs to make their medical records
transparent and available is an often overlooked and underutilized benefit. More
patient education is needed to encourage them to contribute to their own med-
ical histories, review their own test results and see their own radiology images.
EMRs' web-based portal systems offer a much more user-friendly option for
making that happen.
4
Keeping current
Government requirements and Medicare incentives brought paperless
charts into the mainstream, while vendors' sales pitches practically
guarantee your facility will be left behind without them. Do you really think
EMRs are going away? Now is the time to invest in the technology and become
accustomed to its use.
As with any computer system, EMRs carry the risk that the technology you
invest in today will, at some point down the road, fall out of date. There are,
however, a few considerations to factor into your purchasing decision to help
ensure a good fit and a long usable life.
First, choose an established vendor with demonstrated experience in the field.
Keep in mind, however, that their reputation for training and service matters as
much as their name does. Ask your professional peers for references and real-
z
AVAILABLE ANYTIME
The
immediate
accessibility of a patient's medical history
makes EMRs useful in the surgical setting.
