When it comes to the debate of paper charts vs. electronic medical records (EMR) systems, there are pros and cons on both sides that must be considered. From minimizing redundancies in patient information to enhancing accessibility, EMR systems have a lot to provide medical professionals and their patients alike. However, there are also certain negatives to using an EMR system that should not be overlooked. In order to make the best choice for your practice, it is significant to weigh all the pros and cons of using paper charts vs EMR systems. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of these pros and cons.
PROS:
1. Decreased redundancies: One of the primary benefits of using an EMR system is that it can help to lessen redundancies in patient information. With paper charts, it is easy for essential details to get lost or misplaced. This can often lead to duplicate tests being ordered or wrong medications being prescribed. On the other hand, with an EMR system, all of a patient’s information is stored in one central location. This makes it much easier for health care professionals to access and update the information as needed, which can ultimately help to strengthen patient care.
2. Improved accessibility: Another advantage of using an EMR system is that it can improve accessibility to essential medical information. With paper charts, there is always the risk that they could be lost or misplaced. This can make it hard for health care experts to access the information they need when they need it. However, with an EMR system, all of a patient’s information is stored in one central location that can be easily viewed by anyone with the proper permissions.
3. Much better decision-making: Another benefit of using an EMR system is that it can help to develop decision-making by health care experts. With paper charts, it can be difficult to get a full picture of a patient’s health record. This can often lead to wrong diagnoses or treatments being prescribed. However, with an EMR system, all of a patient’s information is readily available. This allows medical care experts to quickly and easily review a patient’s entire health history before producing any decisions.
4. Enhanced communication: Another advantage of using an EMR system is that it can help to enhance communication between medical professionals. With paper charts, it can be challenging to keep track of who has seen which chart and when. This can often lead to important information getting lost in the mix up. Having said that, with an EMR system, all of a patient’s data is stored in one central location. This allows medical professionals to easily see which colleague has accessed the details and when.
5. Greater efficiency: One final benefit of using an EMR system is that it can help to maximize efficiency in the health care setting. With paper charts, a lot of time can be misused searching for lost or misplaced charts. This can often lead to slow downs in care. On the other hand, with an EMR system, all of a patient’s info is stored in one central location. This allows healthcare professionals to quickly and easily access the details they need, which can help to boost patient care.
CONS:
1. High initial cost: One of the primary negative aspects of using an EMR system is that it can be very expensive to put into practice. In many cases, the upfront cost of an EMR system can be prohibitive for small practices.
2. Difficult to learn: Another draw back of using an EMR system is that it can be challenging for medical experts to learn how to use the technology. In many cases, extensive training is required in order to use an EMR system appropriately.
3. Time-consuming: Another problem of using an EMR system is that it can be very time-consuming to input all of the information into the process. In many cases, this can lead to delays in patient care and attention.
4. Constrained customization: One final downside of using an EMR system is that they can often be very limited in terms of modification. In many cases, EMR systems are only made to work with specific types of practices. This can make it hard for small practices to find a method that meets their needs.
While there are many benefits to using an EMR system, it is not always the correct option for a practice. Some practices may find that they are better off sticking with paper charts or only using electronic health records for certain aspects of their small business. No matter which path you decide to take, make sure you carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option and choose the system that will work best for your individual practice. If you’re still doubtful what system is perfect for you, don’t be reluctant to contact us today. Our team can help you figure out which system would be appropriate for your distinctive needs and give you a demonstration of how it would work in your office.