How EMR Technology Is Transforming Healthcare

In today’s digital world, electronic medical records (EMR) have become a hugely important piece of technology for the medical profession. The change from paper-based records to an electronic system has meant that healthcare can be streamlined much more easily, patient care can be improved, and everyone involved can be a lot more efficient. Read on to find out more about how EMR technology is transforming healthcare as we know it. 

Improved Accessibility 

EMR systems allow healthcare professionals to have much better access to patient records, no matter where they are or what time it might be. With electronic records, there is no longer any need to have to wait for information about a patient, which is what used to happen with patient records when they were paper-based. 

The benefit of this is that patients can be treated much more quickly and accurately. When a healthcare professional can get the patient’s notes immediately, they will know about any existing health conditions, any medications, or any prior surgeries that the patient might have gone through, such as ear wax syringing, that will make a difference in their diagnosis or the treatment they are offered. Patients can be cared for much more accurately and safely in this way. 

Efficient Appointment Scheduling 

EMR systems mean that appointment scheduling can be a lot more efficient, which benefits both the patient and the healthcare professionals who are helping them. To begin with, EMR technology will often allow patients to make their appointments through an online booking system, so there is no need for phone calls or in-person visits. Using an app, phone, or laptop, patients can pick times and dates that suit them with the time they need to consider all their options. This means there is less chance that people will need to rearrange when they realize the appointment they made over the phone was not actually suitable. 

For doctors and other healthcare professionals, better appointment scheduling means they can make sure they have all the information they need for each patient and have the time needed to discuss important health matters, depending on what the issue might be. There is far less chance of any scheduling conflicts or delays. 

Sustainability and Cost Savings 

Moving from paper records to an EMR system is also great when it comes to sustainability and cost savings. By eliminating the need for physical storage for paper records, for example, you won’t need too many filing cabinets or rooms to keep them in. You can free up storage space to be used for patients instead, or you can stop spending money on external storage facilities if that is something that currently happens. 

Plus, you’ll be using a lot less paper, and you won’t have to print things like charts, lab results, or prescriptions. This is better for the environment and lessens your environmental impact (which can make patients happier as well). It also reduces the chance of missing paperwork and even mistakes when it comes to handwriting.