Over the past few decades, the global medical enterprise has been radically transformed by a powerful number of growing technological advances. Namely, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2014 mandated that all U.S public and private healthcare providers adopt the use of electronic medical records (EMR/EHR). The wide-scale adoption of EHR systems has allowed for a greater and more seamless flow of health information within the digital health enterprise. Although the U.S mandated the adoption of EMR systems in 2014, numerous practices and physicians have yet to adopt their own EMR system. Why? The answer is simple—they are not clear what the benefits of EHR are.
The benefits of EHR are in fact overwhelmingly compelling. Countless medical experts and professionals have detailed the extensive list of EHR benefits across all practice specialties and sizes. In this review, we will detail the top 5 reasons to purchase and utilize an EHR system.
Improved productivity
Are you among the 42% of physicians experiencing burnout? Feeling stressed and overwhelmed about how to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
EMR systems uniquely streamline common administrative tasks and remove the burdensome necessity of others, such as comprehensive data entry or paper filing. By organizing and automating protected health information in one accessible location to all appropriate staff, EHR systems completely eliminate the traditional chart chasing notion. Instead, EHR systems save medical professionals hours per day by streamlining tasks and automating information. Thus, practices with well-developed EHR systems can not only see a greater volume of patients without compromising on healthcare delivery, but they can also house happier and healthier workers who are no longer burdened by administrative tasks but rather equipped with the utmost freedom to practice medicine.
Improved practice efficiency
Looking to enhance clinical capacity and increase revenue? Feeling hindered by the structure of your current institution?
By streamlining workflows, physicians can see a greater number of patients without compromising on standardized appointment time allotment or resources. With a greater patient volume, practices generate a significantly greater amount of billed revenue. EHR systems also greatly improve documentation efficiency which additionally results in increased billing rates. Thus, EMR systems uniquely allow practices to grow exponentially in both clinical and financial domains, while simultaneously improving the patient and provider experience.
Improved patient participation & satisfaction with care
Seeking to improve patient experience and satisfaction? Looking to build stronger and healthier relationships with your patients?
EMR systems are constructed with a deep commitment to improving the patient healthcare experience and its implementation results in several immediate patient-centered benefits. An EHR platform significantly improves patient engagement by equipping health professionals with tools to help patients visualize important results and key healthcare metrics, such as BMI, and share important resources. Likewise, many EMR systems are equipped with an interactive patient portal that allows patients to have greater autonomy and control over their care experience. Not only does this portal increase communication but also helps to improve patient responsibility over daily health management. Each of these EMR benefits result in increased patient engagement but also, importantly, an increase in patient satisfaction with care.
Improved patient healthcare outcomes
Looking to improve patient healthcare outcomes? Wanting healthier and happier patients?
As aforementioned, EHR implementation results in more engaged and satisfied patients. Such an increase in engagement in-office and satisfaction with care prompts patients to not only develop a greater understanding of their health but also to assume a greater responsibility over their own health. With a clearer understanding of and responsibility over their health, patients experience greater healthcare outcomes. Similarly, EHR usage actually allows physicians to perform improved diagnoses and treatment plans, which also influences improved patient healthcare outcomes. With a well-developed EHR system, practices can help make their patients live longer and healthier lives!
Improved care coordination & data security
Feeling burdened by administrative tasks and paperwork? Looking to collaborate with other medical professionals outside of your clinic? Worried about how best to securely share protected health information?
EHR systems greatly decrease the fragmentation of patient health information and care across different providers and practices. By integrating and organizing patient health information and facilitating its distribution among authorized healthcare stakeholders, all professionals involved in a patient’s care are able to view the same updated and accurate information with ease. Not only does this improved care coordination improve healthcare delivery, but it also reduces potential medical error and unnecessary medical mandates. EMR systems are also encoded in high profile encryptions to ensure data security and they only grant access to authorized users. With an EHR system, you can practice safer and more efficiently.
The five benefits of EHR usage detailed above are just a few of the plethora of EHR benefits that exist. If you relate to any of the questions asked under each benefit, we strongly suggest you consider adopting a trustworthy EHR system. Please visit our Why Praxis page to learn more about why Praxis is the most innovative, efficient, and trustworthy EHR system for all practices and specialties. Feel free to contact us for any specific questions or concerns about the best EHR system to suit your specific needs.
EMR and EHR?
The terms electronic medical record (EMR) and electronic health record (EHR) are synonymous today, but they did not start that way and some still argue that there is a difference. Praxis is a fully certified EHR. So, Praxis is an EHR. However the original term EMR is more precise, and should be preferred by medical practitioners.
Why does Praxis proudly claim to be the best EMR and not simply an EHR?