Computerized medical records are electronic versions of patient medical records that save time and money. They can be accessed quickly and securely, and patients benefit from easily accessible records during emergencies and the ability to control who can access their files. The goal is to have complete and accurate information about a patient stored in a secure system accessible to all healthcare professionals.
Computerized medical records are the digital counterparts of patient medical records kept in paper files and records in health care offices. They are, in essence, an electronic version of the medical records themselves. In many cases, when a healthcare provider wants to invest in computerized medical records, the paper medical records are simply scanned and entered into a medical record system.
Instead of documenting patient information on paper and creating the need for extra storage and space, electronic health records are stored on a computer server. Unlike their traditional counterparts, computerized medical records can be accessed quickly and efficiently, eliminating the need for employees to physically search for records in an office. This, in turn, saves medical practices money, as employees are no longer expected to waste time retrieving records. Searching and retrieving medical records is as simple as typing on a keyboard and clicking mouse buttons.
For professionals, the benefits of using computerized medical records are numerous. In addition to helping save time and money, digital records help doctors serve the patient better, as patients no longer have to wait unnecessarily while an employee searches for files. Records can be archived and compared based on any number of factors. Digital records can instantly expand an office and provide a more secure location for storing files that, if physical, are protected only by padlocks.
There are also a number of personal benefits that patients can experience if their healthcare providers implement computerized record keeping. For example, digital health records are easily accessible during emergencies. Records can be updated quickly for patients who have severe, progressive or chronic disease. People with digital documents don’t have to worry about unsafe storage facilities or the loss of documents due to theft, accident or natural disaster. Patients may also be able to choose who can access their files and for what purposes.
While computerized medical records may be referred to as individual “files” or “folders,” the actual goal and purpose of using this method is to have a resource dedicated to storing complete and accurate information about a patient. In theory, every patient has his or her complete history stored in a sophisticated and secure computerized medical record system. All types of healthcare professionals would have access to the same medical records, thus making their work easier and increasing the chances that their patients will get proper treatment.
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