Importance of Electronic Medical Records (Sample Solution)

Question: why it is important for healthcare professionals to use electronic health records? Answer: Importance of Electronic medical records Electronic medical records (EHR) are paperless, computerized system of maintaining patient medical records and history. These are designed to increase efficiency and to reduce documentation errors. Health records tell your health professional about your medical history. Electronic health records (EHR) can be easily be exchanged with other clinicians to provide better attention and prophylactic. An existing electronic health record would save time at the doctors office. EHR provides quick access to our records, contained information such as blood type, allergic condition, and medical history, which can be lifesaving in emergency decision making situations (Health IT.Gov.,2014). In the past, doctors received medical information by asking your medical history. Every time you visit a new doctor's office, you filled out forms about your history, surgeries, allergic conditions and drugs you took on a regular basis. Sometimes you forget to tell a bit of information, which might not seem useful to you, but can be a lifesaver in emergency situations. In recent times, the doctor prepares electronic health records (EHR) which can be shared, just by asking your name, date of birth and identifying marks. This complete EHR can be used anywhere and by doctors and patient itself. This could assist in minimizing preventable medical mistakes and avoiding duplication of treatment or operation. This will also avoid bulky storage of medical records. EHR provides opportunity to interact smoothly with affiliated hospitals, labs, doctors and pharmacies. It helps healthcare providers to improve productivity and work life balance so that they can meet their business goals (About he alth, 2015). References About health, 2015, The benefits of Electronic health records, https://patients.about.com/od/electronicpatientrecords/a/EMRbenefits.htm. Health IT. Gov.,2014, what are advantages of electronic health records?, https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/faqs/what-are-advantages-electronic-health-records.