Electronic Health Record (EHR)

The term EHR (electronic health record) has always been used interchangeably with EMR (electronic medical record). What is an EHR? It refers to a patient care medical record that is recorded in digital format. These computerized systems actually coordinate the storage and retrieval of individual records. Networking allows us to access EHRs from any global location. Thus, from one location one can have access to a variety of medical information. There are many types of medical information in an EHR.Here are the important ones,Health “power of attorney”Laboratory test resultsRadiology images Demographic details of the patientBilling recordsRecord of side-effects of medicineMedical historyAppointment recordsList of allergiesMedicationImmunization statusRecommendation for medical conditionsEndoscopy / laparoscopyLiving will detailsAmong the advantages of implementing an EHR is the fact that it leads to minimal medical errors. Moreover a handwritten medical record is rarely legible. When compared to the paper based records EHRs are so very convenient because they take up almost no space and can be accessed from distant locations also. Digitization of medical records also facilitates the collection of data for research and clinical studies.It is indeed a great challenge to implement an HER system because all the old records which are now in different formats will have to be digitized. Simply scanning old records is not sufficient but have to be brought into the electronic record system. Another challenge is synchronization of data that originate from two different locations. Other issues relate to privacy and other legal barriers.

The Patient relation Management Solution was designed for bariatric and metabolic surgical practices. Whether your bariatric program is small, medium or large, PRM provides a comprehensive approach to tracking the patient flow from the initial contact to surgery and post follow-up care.

Patient relation Management software is neither a Practice Management System nor an  Electronic Medical Record software. It is a specifically  focused diseased state driven software to qualify a patient for treatment; simplify the process for scheduling a patient; tracking the patient flow; and reporting on the progress of treatment. Some of the potential benefits that will enable providers of bariatric and metabolic surgery devices and services are; efficient collection and reporting of accurate and long term data on the affects of surgery; communication of disease state reports through e-mail and other avenues to both referring and primary care physician; data collection that is a requirement of Center of Excellence eligibility.

Patient relation Management, LLC was launched in 2007 by a team of visionaries who realized that the healthcare industry needed IT solutions that leveraged the latest technology, addressed the increasing complexity of managing a bariatric program and generated real, tangible benefits to bariatric practices of all sizes. Working with healthcare advisors and physicians, the PRM development team spent many years turning the vision into reality. The result of the vision is Patient Relationship Management – a disease state driven software for bariatric and metabolic surgery. The goal of the disease state driven software is to work in tandem and leverage Practice Management Systems and Electronic Medical Record software capabilities of maintaining one electronic record per patient for all disease states. A real solution that streamlines operations, increases patient flow, and improves patient satisfaction.

LOCAL INSTALLATION

The Patient relation Management Solution is available in the ASP Model or a stand-alone model. With the ASP Model, the system is supported and maintained at a secured datacenter so you don’t need a dedicated IT staff and do not incur server/network infrastructure cost. With the Stand-Alone Model, you install, support, and maintain servers and data at your place of business. The Patient relation Management Solution provides bariatric practices with easy to use features including enter once data entry and a robust reporting mechanism. PRM starts where Practice Management System and Electronic Medical Record software stops and improves bariatric programs efficiency and virtually eliminates patient completing paperwork with a pen.

The synergy that PRM can provide to your bariatric program can be very lucrative and productive to your entire business model.

Source

www.PatientRelationship.net

Despite the fact that electronic medical record programs and services are in demand, many have remained skeptical about them. But an article on the American Academy of Family Practice has shown that it may be a feasible option. The piece addresses all queries and hesitations on the efficiency of the service and the systems themselves.

First, the battle is between using the usual paper and file based medical records and using an electronic medical record software method that turns everything digital. Many may wonder, if it isn’t broken why fix it? But with the rising patient numbers, any product that would lessen the health care professionals’ time handling papers and increase patient visits is a good thing.

The promise of technology with an electronic medical record service is the capacity to quickly and easily obtain patient records from virtually anywhere and quickly and accurately make correct diagnosis.

Skepticism involved questions on the software’s accuracy with records, operational costs, and difficulty of use. Some are skeptical about giving their patients’ private history under the care of an electronic medical record company. We list the issues raised here:

- A doctor can still be efficient even without these electronic record keeping products.

- The price may be too high.

- It might not be HIPPA regulated.

- It might be too difficult to understand and would only waste very important time.

- What will become of the physical records if the transition to computerized form happens?

- There are so many electronic record service providers to choose from.

Electronic medical record programs will at first have a high cost to them without doubt. Money is recovered via the increase in patient care, reductions in paperwork and associated costs for equipment, supplies and staffing and in centralizing information and data and health records. Compare it with medical transcription, which costs as high as $25,000 and you’ll notice the difference.

HIPPA compliance concerns are also not a setback, as electronic medical record packages all meet HIPPA standards. As regards ease of operation, while it could take time to learn, it’s really not difficult to master, given a very user-friendly interface. Customer hotlines are even available at all times for all concerns and queries.

Using an electronic medical record service has also been proven to tack on some minutes to each patient consultation and even allows real-time updating. Some opt to store their records for a year first, before turning over to electronic records firms.

Regarding the specific program that the physician should use, it really depends on the purpose. Shopping around and reading articles and reviews about the programs in the market first will allow you to bag the most appropriate suite.