When it comes to Electronic medical records, a few things are certain – we can’t rely on patients or providers to remember everything, and paper files are cumbersome, fragile and inefficient. Electronic medical records (EMRs) provide a much-needed solution to these issues, and the federal government has earmarked $34 billion in stimulus money to help physicians make it happen.
How it Works?
Due to the stimulus money, healthcare providers could receive incentives to adopt digital recordkeeping systems over the next five years. After 2015, physicians who have not converted will be penalized, perhaps with reduced payment from Medicare, for example. In order to qualify and receive bonus payments, it is important to make sure your EMR software meets the federal requirements for “meaningful use,” which are expected to be completely defined by late spring of 2010, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Why it’s Important?
Medical records are not only a vital part of every patient’s care, they are also valuable assets for healthcare facilities that may be looking to obtain grants or gain additional market share. In addition, not only are electronic medical records safer, more efficient and more effective than paper files, but they could also be part of the solution to bringing down our nation’s soaring heath care costs. In fact, some experts estimate the healthcare system could save up to $30 billion each year, simply by reducing errors, allowing physicians to coordinate care for patients who are chronically ill and eliminating duplicate lab and imaging tests – all areas that are impacted by EMRs.
Regardless of any obstacles that may arise, or resistance from various parts of the medical community, the stimulus money, along with the many resulting organizational questions that have arisen, ensure that EMRs will be the wave of the future. Patients and insurance providers will, over time, find it increasingly difficult to work with offices that do not use electronic methods of recordkeeping, thereby also contributing to drive the shift in procedures.
By Kirsten E Silven,
Vidhu Panicker
