Electronic health records or electronic medical records are patients’ medical records stored online. As of October 2022, 89.9% of office-based physicians are using an EMR/EHR system.
Though, amongst the total audience, only 72.3% of people have access to a certified EHR system. An EHR includes all the necessary information related to a patient’s medical history like demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data, and radiology reports.
There are numerous benefits of an EHR but it is widely used to automate the process and streamline the clinician’s workflow. An EHR enhances the decision-making quality, supports evidence-based decisions, improves quality management, and helps in reporting.
In this blog, we’ll learn about what is an EHR and how this works.
What is an EHR?
Commonly known as an EHR or EMR, an acronym for Electronic Health Records or Electronic Medical Records respectively. It is a tool that helps medical professionals to keep a track of patients’ medical history electronically.
An EHR can store numerous data related to a patient’s medical history such as doctor’s prescription, patient’s reports, test results, bills, and more. EHR strengthens the relationship between a patient and a doctor by promoting transparency within the system.
Doctors or medical professionals store the information in the database and share it with respective patients. No other person does have any access to this information. Any information breach through the system can be penalized by the authorities.
EHRs promote a patient’s care by several measures.
- Improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records to reduce the incidence of medical errors.
- Making health information available, reducing duplication of tests, reducing treatment delays, and empowering patients to make better decisions.
- Improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records to reduce medical errors.
How Does an EHR Work?
The majority of the audience believes that an EHR is more convenient to use as compared to obsolete paper-based records. But, an EHR requires some preliminary information to set up its functioning.
1. Doctor’s primary information
No matter, whether you belong to a prestigious multi-national hospital or just started your clinic. Doctor’s information is mandatory as patients may require to study about you before opting for the consultation.
You can add your basic information as the number of years of experience, past achievements, major breakthroughs, and specialization.
2. Number of Clinics
If you manage multiple clinics and have been in the practice for a long time, it is advisable to keep a record for each clinic.
When a patient visits your website. He or she should be aware that they can get the consultation from a variety of locations. Also, once the clinic sets up, you can maintain the information for other doctors as well.
3. Primary Requirements
As you’re going to set up the EHR system amongst the network. Make sure you specify the requirements before with the provider. Each software has its own unique quality.
Some EHR providers avail you with countless benefits such as security, cloud storage, intuitive reports, clinic management, doctor’s profile, and patient portal. While a few EHR software may just provide you with an advantage of storing the information.
When you’re finished with the input, an EHR service provider sets up the procedures, and you can start using the service.
Though, there are two alternatives available when it comes to storing information.
Local Servers VS Cloud-Based EHR System
The EHR application can be set up for use on local servers by your information technology department. When you have a small and relatively stable patient population to serve, this is wise.
But it can be challenging for your IT staff to foresee exactly how much server space your organization will require for patient records if you are continually growing the size or scope of your practice. You might also worry that a disaster (or an attack by cyber criminals) will make your local records unavailable.
You can instead set up a cloud-based EHR to allay such worries and add more flexibility. Now, it will be up to the IT department of the cloud computing service provider to increase server capacity and bandwidth in order to keep up with demand.
Furthermore, in the event that your local servers experience a catastrophic failure, you can restore your patient data from the cloud.
Last but not least, with data accessible via the cloud, your healthcare professionals can access patient data even when they’re on the go, like when your chief doctor is out doing rounds at a nearby hospital.
Benefits of an EHR
1. Transfer and Share Information
EHRs keep track of your medical reports online. It makes the process a lot safer and easy to store information. Also, removes the mundane task of maintaining multiple files.
There will be several instances where you have to visit multiple doctors and get their opinion. You’ll be required to share your reports with them. With the help of an EHR, it gets a lot easier to coordinate and come up with better suggestions instantly.
This promotes better internal communication, smoother functioning, and improved accuracy.
2. Encourages Patient Engagement
Once an EHR is set up with the necessary reports and data, it is shared with the patient.
A patient can study the reports, share his concerns with the doctor and get better consultation. An EHR plays a significant role in comprehending information. The interface summarises all the data and comes up with intuitive reports.
Including patients in the decision-making process gives them better control over their treatment when you provide them access to their medical information.
3. Improves Clinical Decisions
When medical professionals receive comprehensive information, they can think about it and quickly develop an efficient solution.
EHR can help with this process by accessing and analyzing patients’ medical records and tabulating the critical points in chronological order.
With the assistance of a patient’s relevant record set, EHR is now so technologically advanced. They can also inform doctors if a new prescription is contraindicated due to the patient’s conditions, previous medications, or health requirements.
You can set up your electronic health record system and start your virtual clinic within minutes.
Introducing KiviCare
A remarkable plugin for creating encounters and scheduling appointments for businesses that provide medical services. Kivicare is a clinic & patient management system. It gives you the option to handle patient bookings and decide whether to accept or reject them.
You can manage doctors’ professional practices with the flexible plugin KiviCare – Clinic & Patient Management System. Making appointments with other experts in the same field, such as orthopedic surgeons, dentists, cardiologists, pediatricians, and so forth, will be incredibly simple thanks to this plugin.
Three Easy Steps To Start!
Step 1: Install the KiviCare Plugin
If you’re working on a WordPress website, then simply install the KiviCare plugin from the repository or manually upload it.
Step 2: Enter Clinic Information
Follow the instructions provided by the setup wizard and establish your virtual clinic. Personalize your platform, the way you always wanted.
Step 3: Start Taking the Appointments
Once done with the setup, start publicizing the service through various media channels. Users can come to your platform and book an appointment online.
As a doctor, you can ease out the process and take payments online. Users can select a date and time and even pay while making a reservation through a number of secure payment gateways.
There are various new features on KiviCare clinic and patient management system in WordPress that demand your attention. Discover them all, then launch your virtual clinic right away.
Try out the free KiviCare plugin or reserve a free demo today!