Electronic Patient Record System

INTRODUCTION

If there's one constant in the healthcare industry, it's change. The very model of healthcare is steadily evolving as the industry faces complex issues like managed care and capitation. Additionally, healthcare providers are driven to find new ways to cut costs while improving care. To meet these challenges, healthcare organizations are rethinking their view of information technology. After decades of spending well below other industries, healthcare is turning to information systems to control costs, improve overall efficiency and enhance patient care.

In particular, the last two years have seen a significant increase in electronic patient record implementations based on document imaging and workflow technologies. This is no surprise to those familiar with the impressive efficiency gains and quick financial returns made possible with these systems. Some industry watchers estimate that more than 60% of healthcare institutions are investigating this technology. This market acceptance is driven by the promise of immediate, simultaneous, enterprise-wide access to the complete patient record, including paper-based and multimedia information.

WHAT IS ELECTRONIC PATIENT RECORD SYSTEM?

An electronic medical record is any medical record that is kept in electronic format. They contain the same information as traditional paper medical records (e.g., patient name, condition, medicine prescribed), but the data is not written out longhand. Instead, it is entered into some type of electronic device such as a computer or PDA; the data can be retrieved by these devices later when needed. In the past, patient records have been largely kept as hard copies in physical files, often seen in the receptionist area of doctor's offices. In the United States, many offices, clinics and hospitals are converting to an electronic medical record system in anticipation of possible mandates from the U.S. Federal Government.

There are a number of reasons why the government is...