Optimizing Electronic Health Records to Deliver Better Care

Over recent years the health and medical industry have been gradually transitioning to the use of electronic health records to document the care provided to patients. This change is being adopted by hospitals and medical care facilities across the globe, making records more accessible to doctors and other healthcare practitioners involved in a client’s care.

Hospitals see hundreds of patients each year! Understandably so the admission process generates an abundance of information that needs to be recorded and processed daily. From old paper and film records to new information like X Rays, operative reports and prescriptions that are being created electronically, everything needs to be consolidated into a comprehensive electronic health record for each patient. Only by completing this integration can a healthcare practitioner have access to the information required to provide the most effective and efficient care possible.

Overcoming Resistance to Electronic Records

There has been some industry resistance to the adoption of electronic records, at least in part due to the sensitive nature of the medical and personal information involved. However, modern document management solutions are built with the utmost attention to detail and security, and likely offer better information protection than existed in a world of paper-based records.

Benefits of EHR Systems

A few of the benefits of EHR Systems, which enable the delivery of better, more timely healthcare:

Reduce Duplicate Processes

With an EHR system, patient’s records are created electronically, and their paper records are scanned into databases making them immediately available for viewing online in multiple locations by their healthcare providers. These electronic health record systems eliminate the need to make copies of records, fax copies of these records, mail copies of these records, file and archive copies of these records etc. etc. in multiple formats and to multiple locations. The result is a reduction in duplicate processes that waste valuable administrative time and resources, and less risk that complications and confusion may arise because of human error associated with the management of multiple versions of critical information.

Advanced File Organization Solutions

With document management solutions, like those offered by Octacom, patient records are organized and categorized into standardized electronic file and search field structures. Barcode and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology can further enhance file organization, reducing the time required to find a specific document. Patient files can be extensive, and doctors have limited time to find the paperwork they need. Octacom’s processes organize files in a user-friendly manner which reduces the time it takes to find the required information and get on with the appointment.

Improved Accessibility for Increased Efficiency

The use of integrated electronic health records saves healthcare providers and organizations time and space and therefore money. The costs required to store, manage and distribute health records is reduced. With EHRs documentation and signatures can be captured electronically and doctors can access their patient records when they are not in the hospital or their office. With appropriate security measures in place, doctors can even access their patient files on their mobile devices as needed, allowing for more timely action in emergency situations.