EMR/EHR

Electronic medical records (EMR) are a digital version of a patient’s chart that store their personal information, medical history and links to prior exams, texts and reports. The goal of these systems is to enable immediate access to the patient's data electronically, rather than needing to request paper file folders that might be stored in fragment files at numerous locations where a patient is seen or treated. EMRs (also called electronic health records, or EHR) improve clinician and health system efficiency by making all this data immediately available. This helps reduce repeat tests, repeat prescriptions and repeat imaging exams because reports, imaging or other patient data is not not immediately available. 

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Survey: Most doctors believe EHRs negatively impact patient relationships, workflow

A majority of physicians believe electronic health records (EHRs) negatively impact their relationships with patients, productivity and workflow, according to a recent survey by The Doctors Company.

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New tool aims to simplify medical records requests

A team of health technology organizations joined forces to develop a new tool that makes it easier for patients to request and receive digital copies of their health records in the format of their choice.

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EHR alert tool effectively screens for sleep apnea in epilepsy patients

An electronic health record (EHR) alert was able to effectively screen for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in epilepsy patients and refer them for sleep studies to better diagnose their disorders.

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Orthopedic clinic sees increased documentation time, costs after EMR implementation

After implementing an electronic medical record (EMR) system, an orthopedic clinic saw its labor costs and staff documentation time significantly increase during the first several months before then returning to previous levels, according to a study.

Healthcare providers welcome speech recognition in EHR systems

Twenty-three percent of healthcare providers have no plans to adopt speech recognition into their electronic health records (EHR) system despite it being an “effective, proven tool,” according to a new report.

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Opinion: EHRs are tools of Big Brother driving physicians away from medicine

Twila Brase—the president of the Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom and healthcare policy advisor to the Heartland Institute, a libertarian thinktank—thinks electronic health records (EHRs) cause plenty of problems for physicians and patients. They contribute to burnout, distraction and inefficiencies.

Data sharing gathers momentum in healthcare

Several hospitals and healthcare organizations are now taking advantage of electronic data-sharing systems that provide real-time alerts about what’s happening within a facility, according to a report by Politico.

ONC asked to improve pediatric EHR usability, safety

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is being called on to develop a voluntary certification program to help improve the usability and safety of pediatric electronic health records (EHRs).