Emr
Social Change of EMR
Introduction/Thesis
A chartless/paperless doctor’s office was once something only dreamt of in a Star Trek episode. Soon humans will utilize laser beams as a major mode of transportation; well possibly in the distant future we will transport ourselves via laser beam. The advancements in health care technology have made it possible to obtain a chartless (paperless) environment. Whether you are in private practice or part of a major health care organization, the latest technological push is towards EMR (electronic medical record) systems. The impact of EMR systems can be compared to a small earthquake; it has the potential to send shock waves through a health care environment long after the initial quake has passed. The installation and recovery from the implementation of an EMR application has the potential to be a cosmic social endeavor for any small practice or health system that is considering adapting such technology.
The implementation of EMR systems permeates through all sectors of an organization i.e. patients, providers, medical students, referring physicians, front desk staff, clerical staff etc... Embracing EMR technology is a daunting task even for those who accredit themselves to be computer savvy individuals. Notions of apprehension and fear of a paperless system is brought to the fore front by those who are deemed to commission the latest and greatest EMR technology.
President George W Bush is promoting a universal EMR system. During President Bush’s February 4, 2006 State of the Union Address he spoke of the need to increase the usage of EMR system in America, "We will make wider use of electronic records and other health information technology, to help control costs and reduce dangerous medical errors." (Doctors Gadgets Forums)
Research
The initial hurdle is choosing an EMR solution, not all EMR systems are created equal. Often the largest...
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