EMR’s or ‘Electronic Medical Records’ are steadily becoming the norm, but for medical professionals and Practice Managers, there is still a lot of ambiguity. Here, Healthbridge answers some of the most commonly asked questions about the use of EMRs in doctor’s practices.
A quick introduction to EMRs
Electronic medical records (EMRs) are designed to make it possible to access complete and accurate patient records from any location, at any time. An electronic medical record (EMR) makes it simpler to compile patient data summaries that emphasise relevant details (such allergies and diseases) and clinical trends.
In short, the objective of an EMR is to improve patient care by presenting the treating doctor – or doctors – important data, in a structured manner that will enhance their treatment decisions.
What are the primary benefits of using EMRs?
Some of the primary benefits of using EMRs includes a fuller picture of the patient’s health and the fact that clinicians can access patient records regardless of where they happen to be.
You won’t have to waste time scrolling or paging through irrelevant details; instead, detailed information relevant to your patient search will be made immediately accessible. No matter which physicians contributed to the database, the data remains organised in the same way. Care continuity is enhanced when all members of a healthcare team have access to the same data.
Are there any common mistakes that are made when first using EMRs?
Attempting to accomplish too much on the first day is a common error. Each clinic will require its own customised digital journey.
The second trap is failing to incorporate the business’s administrative functions into this digital transformation. As an integral element of the therapeutic process, administrative tasks must be incorporated into any EMR implementation.
Another problem occurs when a practice implements an EMR system that is inflexible and forces you to conform to its workflow, rather than improving your productivity (and the practice as a whole).
One last key mistake is adopting a solution that promises to solve every problem. Instead of trying to accomplish everything, the best products focus on doing a few tasks really well.
How long does it take to set up an EMR?
How long it takes to get a practice up and running is highly context dependent. Rather than fixating on the duration of the process, you should aim for a positive interaction with the system and your technology partner.
How do you choose the best EMR to purchase for your practice?
Choose a South African-based EMR. Medical practices and healthcare systems in South Africa don’t require the extra complexity and clutter that comes with adopting features and healthcare jargon from other countries’ solutions.
It’s important to find a system that can handle both the administrative and billing needs of your business. Assess the needs of your practice and make sure the EMR can accommodate them.
How are paper-based records converted to EMRs?
When determining your upload approach use the size of your practice, how many patient files you have, the make-up of chronic versus acute patients, etc. as direction as to how you should be going about transferring files from paper to digital. Your solution partner should be able to assist you with this to ensure a smooth process.
Is my clinical data safe on an EMR?
It’s far more secure than paper documentation. Likewise, as a medical professional, you’ll be less likely to experience complications as a result of lost documents, unauthorised access, blank spaces, or wrong data.
How can I check if a specific EMR is POPI compliant?
The most straightforward method is to ask the solution provider the question but it’s much more than a simple yes or no.
For how long can a doctor still access their EMR notes after retiring?
A reputable EMR, who has the patient and doctor’s best interests at heart and complies with the regulation regarding patient files, should allow that doctor to view those data for a given length of time, at least.
Can EMRs be customised?
Depending on the system, some EMRs may or may not allow for customisation.
Do medical schemes integrate EMRs?
Leading medical schemes integrate EMRs, as such integration allows practices to be paid faster and more efficiently.
Do EMRs assist with Telehealth appointments?
A good electronic medical record will incorporate telehealth features, allowing doctors to record patient data and have a consultation at the same time.
