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Running Head: ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS VERSUS PAPER RECORDS 0

Electronic Medical Records versus Paper Records

MiKayla Schumacher

Rasmussen

August 31, 2019

Electronic medical records versus paper records

With the increased technological advancements, different organizations have preferred the use of electronic means of keeping medical records to the paper records. I agree that this method of record keeping is vital as far as safety and storage of data is concerned. However, it is important to note a few setbacks that arise from the electronic records. Different health organizations overemphasize on the use of electronic records leaving out the paper records. In the recent past, there have been delays in health provision facilities resulting from lack of a proper channel through which the health centers retrieve the orders that are present in the software (Chan, Thyparampil & Chiang, 2018).

I support that the electronic medical records are important in several ways. For instance, health professionals are in a better position to follow diagnosis and treatment guidelines while using the electronic medical records as opposed to when using the paper records. This is because retrieval of data from the electronic records has minimal chances of mistakes occurring than when using paper records. Paper records demand that the health professionals have a sharp memory as far as the arrangement of data in the paper records is concerned. On the other hand, data kept in electronic form is easily retrieved because it is clouded and hence the health professional retrieving them does not need to rely on their memory. In most cases, data stored in electronic form is more precise and faster to retrieve and is also easily shared amongst different offices and health care facilities.

Also, electronic medical records are significant in that they enhance better communication amongst healthcare providers within the same health facility because they can easily share data amongst themselves. Through the electronic medical records, the physicians can document the health history of their clients, their test and test results, referrals, diagnoses and other forms of medical treatments in a safer manner as compared to when using the paper records. Furthermore, the medical practitioners can request for different tests and medications more efficiently through the electronic medical records. The health providers are also in a better position to read notes from other physicians. Storing the client’s data in electronic forms enable the physicians to store clients’ data exclusively in different files to avoid mix-ups. This way, this form of record keeping plays a vital role in maintaining the client’s confidentiality. Such data is also at a lower risk of getting damaged or even lost as does the paper records (Rantz.et.al, 2019).

The electronic health records have led to more efficiency in the health facilities. This is because they have led to increased precision of data thus leading to better services in the facilities. In addition, the electronic form of data keeping has also led to minimization of hospital expenditures since the money spent in buying papers and paper files is used in other things. Technological advancement has also led to establishment of the e-prescribing technology. This is a technology that enabled doctors to share prescriptions with the pharmacists. Each of them confirms the accuracy of the prescriptions which further improves the outcome. The use of electronic health records is an important factor towards reduction of legibility that arise form paper records (Zandieh.et.al, 2018).

On the other hand, paper records are less efficient as compared to the electronic records. Retrieval of data from the paper records is slower than the electronic records. The healthcare provider that needs the data needs to peruse through papers then scan and email them to where they are needed. This takes much time than when the same physician uses the electronic form to retrieve data.

Reading and understanding paper based medical records is quite difficult. This is due to illegible writing which is common amongst people and lack of enough space to do the writing for the entire information which is needed. Electronic records differ from handwritten in terms of quality and clarity of how the information is laid down. Electronically, documents are written with a standardized typeface and the arrangement of wording and sentences leaves little room for confusion. Poor understanding and poor clarity of the information to be shared are the rationale behind preference in electronic records over written records to most people.

With electronic medical records, the information is relayed from one staff to another as the patient moves from one point to another, along his/her treatment journey (Cochran et al., 2015). Electronic medical records are updated automatically, saving on time and enhancing efficiency of the information being shared. This makes the most recent information available to the physicians.

Despite the challenges and inconveniences which might result from paper records, they remain the easiest to use and require minimal skills. Therefore, a wide variety of the staffs are well positioned to use it. Particularly when it comes to staffs’ members who are computer illiterate (Kern, Edwards & Kaushal, 2014). For successful utilization of electrical records and enjoyment of the full services, there is need for the hospital staffs to be computer literate. Use of electronic records saves on time as well as the large spaces which are consumed by paper records.

In summary, Electronic Health Records remains the best option over paper records. This is due to simplicity, easy understanding and accuracy of the information which they tend to offer. This makes information sharing amongst the hospital staffs easier and time saving, hence satisfying the clients being served.

References

Chan, P., Thyparampil, P. J., & Chiang, M. F. (2018). Accuracy and speed of electronic health record versus paper-based ophthalmic documentation strategies. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 156(1), 165.

Cochran, Gary L,PharmD., S.M., Lander, L., ScD., Morien, Marsha, MSBA,F.H.F.M.A., F.A.C.H.E., Lomelin, D. E., Brittin, J., M.M., Reker, C., & Klepser, Donald G,PhD., M.B.A. (2015). Consumer opinions of health information exchange, e-prescribing, and personal health records. Perspectives in Health Information Management, , 1-12. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.rasmussen.edu/docview/1739315737?accountid=40836

Kern, L. M., Edwards, A., & Kaushal, R. (2014). The Patient-Centered Medical Home, Electronic Health Records, and Quality of Care. Annals Of Internal Medicine, 160(11), 741-749. http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.rasmussen.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=4025a448-0a75-41eb-842b-e84287012f46%40sessionmgr4005&vid=1&hid=4108

Rantz, M., Skubic, M., Alexander, G., Popescu, M., Aud, M., Wakefield, B., & ... Miller, S. (2019). Developing a comprehensive electronic health record to enhance nursing care coordination, use of technology, and research. Journal Of Gerontological Nursing, 36(1), 13-17

Zandieh, S. O., Yoon-Flannery, K., Kuperman, G. J., Langsam, D. J., Hyman, D., & Kaushal, R. (2018). Challenges to EHR Implementation in Electronic- Versus Paper-based Office Practices. JGIM: Journal Of General Internal Medicine, 23(6), 755-761.