EMR technology stores, accesses, and transmits medical records. There are three types of EMR technology: client-server, client-server host, and ASP. Custom EMR software is available for various specialties. EMR technology benefits patients by providing more secure and complete medical records, improving patient care. HIPAA enforces privacy and confidentiality standards for electronic health records.
Electronic health record (EMR) technology has revolutionized the storage, accessibility and transmission of medical records. Hospitals, as well as any small or large practice or healthcare organization, can implement EMR technology to create an electronic or computerized medical record for each patient. The major types of EMR technology include client-server, client-server host, and Application Service Provider (ASP) models. Custom EMR software also varies by specialty area of practice, such as cardiology, family practice, OB/GYN, and pulmonology.
The client-server EMR technology, software and server are located within the doctor’s office itself. This model requires manual data entry and nightly backups by medical personnel. The hosted client-server model is similar, but hosted and maintained by EMR company personnel or another secure third-party data center. ASP software is Internet-based, requires no hosting or server purchases, and offers built-in security and data protection. Healthcare professionals enter data using computers, laptops or portable electronic devices; the vendor manages data backups and updates.
Custom EMR software comes in nearly two dozen specialties. This allows for faster and more efficient management of medical records, as each specialty has its own templates relevant to the care of patients with these medical conditions. For example, EMR software for cardiology includes templates for details like cardiac exams, hypertension, and pacemakers. OB/GYN EMR software and templates, on the other hand, cover relevant data including obstetric or gynecological visits, infertility, sexual dysfunction, and pregnancy tests.
EMR technology offers many benefits to patients, which in turn improves overall patient care. The most important benefits are more secure medical records. These records also ensure a more complete patient history, allowing healthcare professionals to spend less time managing records and more time caring for the patient. Quality patient care becomes more attainable as medical staff have instant access to records that include essential information about previous treatments, conditions, prescriptions and input from other healthcare professionals. Another benefit of EMR technology includes the advent of electronic or e-prescriptions, which replace often illegible handwritten prescriptions, resulting in increased accuracy and reduced risk of patients receiving the wrong medications.
An important consideration regarding the use of EMR technology is how well it protects the privacy and confidentiality of patients and their medical records. In the United States, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), in effect since 1996, requires medical professionals to implement and diligently maintain rigorous safety standards when using electronic health records and other electronic or computerized health information software and technologies . HIPAA requires and enforces compliance with these rules governing how medical personnel use and disclose confidential patient information, with violations carrying civil or criminal penalties such as fines, jail time, or both.
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