When it comes to the discussion of paper charts vs. electronic medical records (EMR) systems,there are pros and cons on both sides that must be considered. From cutting down redundancies in patient info to improving accessibility,EMR systems have a lot to deliver health care professionals and their patients alike. However,there are also certain negatives to implementing an EMR system that should not be neglected. In order to make the best choice for your practice,it is vital to weigh all the pros and cons of using paper charts vs EMR systems. In this article,we’ll take a look at some of these pros and cons.
PROS:
1. Decreased redundancies: One of the primary benefits of using an EMR system is that it can help to cut down redundancies in patient information. With paper charts,it is easy for vital details to get suddenly lost or misplaced. This can often lead to replicated tests being ordered or completely wrong medications being prescribed. However,with an EMR system,all of a patient’s information is stored in one central location. This makes it much easier for health care professionals to access and update the information as needed,which can ultimately help to improve patient care.
2. Better accessibility: Another advantage of using an EMR system is that it can strengthen accessibility to significant medical information. With paper charts,there is always the risk that they could be lost or misplaced. This can make it hard for medical care professionals to access the information they need when they need it. However,with an EMR system,all of a patient’s information is stored in one central location that can be easily accessed by anyone with the proper permissions.
3. Superior decision-making: Another benefit of using an EMR system is that it can help to enhance decision-making by healthcare specialists. With paper charts,it can be difficult to get a full picture of a patient’s health record. This can often lead to wrong diagnoses or treatments being prescribed. However,with an EMR system,all of a patient’s information is readily available. This allows healthcare professionals to quickly and easily review a patient’s entire health history before making any decisions.
4. Advanced communication: Another advantage of using an EMR system is that it can help to develop communication between health care experts. With paper charts,it can be difficult to keep track of who has seen which chart and when. This can often lead to important information getting lost in the shuffle. On the other hand,with an EMR system,all of a patient’s info is stored in one central location. This allows health care professionals to easily see which colleague has accessed the info and when.
5. Increased efficiency: One final benefit of using an EMR system is that it can help to enhance efficiency in the medical setting. With paper charts,a lot of time can be spent searching for lost or misplaced charts. This can often lead to slow downs in care. On the other hand,with an EMR system,all of a patient’s info is stored in one central location. This allows medical care professionals to quickly and easily access the information they need,which can help to enhance patient care.
CONS:
1. Higher initial cost: One of the primary drawbacks of using an EMR system is that it can be very expensive to put into practice. In many cases,the upfront cost of an EMR system can be prohibitive for small practices.
2. Difficult to learn: Another downside of using an EMR system is that it can be challenging for medical specialists to learn how to use the technology. In many cases,extensive training is required in order to use an EMR system properly.
3. Time-consuming: Another downside of using an EMR system is that it can be very time-consuming to key in all of the records into the method. In many cases,this can lead to delays in patient attention.
4. Limited customization: One final disadvantage of using an EMR system is that they can often be very limited in terms of customization. In many cases,EMR systems are only made to work with specific types of practices. This can make it tricky for small practices to find a program that meets their needs.
While there are many benefits to using an EMR system,it is not always the right option for a practice. Some practices may find that they are better off sticking with paper charts or only using electronic health records for particular aspects of their enterprise. No matter which option you decide to take,make sure you carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option and choose the system that will work best for your individual practice. If you’re still not sure what system is appropriate for you,don’t be reluctant to contact us today. Our team can help you determine which system would be best for your unique needs and give you a demonstration of how it would work in your office.