Paper Medical Records vs. Electronic Health Records (EHR)

The healthcare industry is slowly converting from paper medical records systems to Electronic Health Records (EHR). Making the change may be time-consuming and costly, but health care providers may overcome these challenges, and improve the quality care for patients. Electronic Health Records (EHR) will reduce storage space, create easy access to patient information, improve accuracy, and reduce cost.

Paper health records require a significant amount of storage space compared to electronic health records. Health care providers will immediately have access to test orders, prescription orders, allergic reaction notes, immunization records, and all other notes in a few seconds without having to locate paper medical records. EHRs will reduce medical errors found in a paper health record due to incomplete documentation or poor handwriting. There will no longer be a need to waste money buying several chart materials, paper, ink, etc.

Health care providers and staff members will not need to spend time pulling charts, undoing them, and putting them back together that can take an average time of 3 minutes and 25 seconds verses 8 seconds with an EHR. This will reduce the overall cost, save time, and increase efficiency. EHRs will help health care providers see more patients without the need to search the office for charts, and physically handle the paper chart from one person to another.

            Person Health Records (PHR) is a record with information about a patient’s health that can be accessed through the Internet at any time. Health care providers should maintain health information in a PHR because it keeps all health information about a patient in one place, making it easier to search information about a recent health service or a condition. PHRs will provide information of a patient’s primary care physician’s name and phone number, medications, allergies, immunization history, health problems, surgeries, and emergency contacts in case of an emergency.

            Patients will also be able to add information about what they are doing to prevent certain health conditions. They will be able to keep track and record of their progress towards health goals, such as lowering cholesterol level, lowering blood pressure, losing weight, or quitting smoking. PHRs will also allow patients to schedule appointments, email physicians, and learn more about their condition and medications. This will avoid receiving duplicate producers and tests, which will save money and time. PHRs will improve the communication between patients and health care providers to provide them the best possible care.

 In conclusion, health care providers will benefit from electronic health records compared to paper medical records in all aspects of a patient’s care. EHRs have the ability to manage most aspects of patient care and offer more quality time with patients. Patients and their health care providers will benefit from using PHR, by sharing data across multiple providers and multiple systems. Patients will become more involved in their own care, ensuring that it is accurate and up-to-date. 

Do you think Electronic Health Records (EHR) will benefit healthcare vs. paper medical records?

Paper Medical Records vs. Electronic Health Records (EHR): Which one do you think is safer?