Of all the changes and advancements technology has brought us in the field of medical care, some stand out more than others. Such is the case with electronic medical records (EMRs). Learn more about electronic medical records, including what they are, why they’re used, and how they benefit patients by reading the information below.
What Are EMRs?
EMRs are digital versions of a patient’s medical history. They are generally used by physicians and medical professionals to specify a patient’s diagnosis and treatment. When you see a physician, he or she will use EMRs to indicate both the diagnosis and the treatment you received from that physician.
Are EMRs and EHRs the same?
While many people use the terms EMR and EHR (electronic health records) interchangeably, they are actually two different terms with separate meanings. The EMRs pretty much stay with that physician. They help the physician become more familiar with everything that’s been done to you regarding your care. EHRs may have the same function, but they do much more. EHRs cover all the care you may have received and not just from that one physician. If you have to see a specialist or even go to a different clinic, your EHRs will go with you. EHRs also provide a more detailed patient history.
How are EMRs used by medical professionals?
EMRs are used to help medical professionals monitor your care not just for that visit but also for any future visits. For instance, if you are due to receive some immunizations or follow-up care, this will be indicated your EMR.
If your blood pressure is slightly high on one day, the physician can look at your EMR and see if it’s consistent with previous visits or if it’s cause for alarm. Because of the efficiency EMRs provide, medical professionals are able to see more patients in a day and provide more comprehensive care.
How are EMRs beneficial to patients?
EMRs are beneficial to patients because they allow physicians to better monitor your care. Your doctor can easily look at your EMR to see what your condition was on previous visits. They’re also beneficial to patients because they help to keep costs down by eliminating the need for additional office help.
EMRs also allow for better health care for you, faster decision making regarding your care, and also few mistakes on your treatment and your medical bill. Another benefit of EMRs is that they allow for electronic transfer of prescriptions, which can save you time.
How do EMRs affect billing?
EMRs are also used to assist in billing the patient or insurance company. Each procedure is given a different code, which represents how much should be charged for that procedure. When you visit your physician, he or she writes down what was done to you on your EMR. At the end of the visit, the EMR goes to the billing department and they put down specific codes for each treatment. This is how the insurance company knows how much they have to pay.
