I agree that a universal paperless medical records system should be a key component to healthcare reform. The ability for a medical provider to quickly access your complete and detailed medical records could be critical to your health, and help reduce cost by limiting redundant testing.
At the age of 53 I have witnessed the progression of my personal medical records from a hard copy paper file, to a detailed paperless system currently used by my medical provider. During medical checkup visits as few as 8 years ago my Doctor would finger through a one-inch thick paper file to try to quickly get up to speed on my history. It was apparent that it was critical that I kept a mental track of my own medical history regarding previous medical conditions or treatments so you could bring the Doctor up to date. Since then the large medical group that I go to has developed their own paperless system that I believe has greatly help in my care.
I have diabetes, and with this chronic medical condition come frequent doctor visits, numerous lab tests and several changes in my medications. Now during my visits the Doctor pulls up my detailed medical records on their computer which summarizes my long medical history. The system shows my medications, previous treatments, and a history of my lab results. With a click he can drill down into the system and pull up detailed records from years ago. He pulls up graphs showing my blood sugar history to review the changes base on various medications, and makes adjustments to the medications. The system allows him to explain the treatments and affects from visit to visit. As I have visited other specialists within the same medical group my records followed me. The specialist Doctor starts my visit by pulling up my medical records electronically and has complete access to my history. I believe the tools provided in this medical records system has significantly improved my care.
Unfortunately this system is not universal, and not available to medical providers outside this specific medical group. With a uniform universal medical records system a provider anywhere across the country could access my records and provide care based on my history. With the continually increasing mobility of our society it becomes more important that our medical history can follow us.
A universal medical records system would obviously improve the quality of care for patients that travel or those that move frequently. However, a universal system would also provided savings by greatly limiting the redundant testing.
If you had to visit an emergency room in another state, quickly access your history would be a great advantage to the medical provider. Your medical history could allow the doctor to eliminate some of the lab tests or treatment procedures that he would normally need to perform for someone with an unknown history. The system would result in a better quality of care and a reduction in the cost of you treatment. Based on the number of emergency room and walk-in clinic visits the quality of care and savings in reduced testing would be a significant improvement to the current system.
For the poor and homeless in our country, who have had only limited access to medical treatment due to the costs or their transient life style, an accessible medical history could have a dramatic improvement on the quality of the little health care they do receive.
With all the various proposals for medical reform, I believe that a universal paperless medical records system would have a direct positive impact on the health care quality and costs. With the current and constantly improving technology the implementation of the system is possible at a relatively low cost, and would be easily paid for by the savings in the reduction in inappropriate or redundant testing.
Mark, Health Care Patient
I agree that a universal paperless medical records system would have a direct positive impact on the health care quality and costs. As a college student I have had positive experiences because of electronic medical records. Just last semester I had been feeling very sick, so I went to F. Skemp for a check-up. I went to urgent care and they asked me for my name and birthdate and immediately had all my information. My parents get their health care through Midelfort Clinic and hospital in Eau Claire, which is also affiliated with Mayo. In that way, it helped the whole process move along quickly. I was very grateful for it.
ReplyDeleteThe transition toward electronic medical records is beneficial for many reasons. A universal system would help both health care workers and the patient keep track of the care given and received. It would also improve care for the patient because their record will be up to date and easily assessable to all health care personnel. The only potential problem with electronic medical records is maintaining patient confidentiality.
ReplyDeleteNatalie brings up a good point with the potential confidentiality problem. While implementing an electronic system, strong rules must be enforced when it comes to that issue. Overall, I truly believe an electronic system would smooth our health care system. The positive qualities of an electronic health care system, I believe, overrule the negatives.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a book I recently read, "Handle with Care." It was about a young girl who had a disease where she broke her bones easily, and when she fell and had to go to the hospital out of state, her physician thought her parents were abusing her because she had so many fractures. He physician was making the "correct call" since he didn't have access to her medical records, but because of that her parents lost custody of her for a couple of days. Even though it is a fictional story- it really shows how having electronic records on file can be extremely beneficial in an emergency situation.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with this guest author. A universal health care record system would improve the quality of care greatly. Just recently I was at the doctor and I was sort of amazed at the fact that the doctor knew about all my previous hospitalizations.
ReplyDeleteI think the electronic medical record is very beneficial. I agree that this has to be a universal system so that all hospitals are able to be involved. Since we are in the middle of converting the process is not yet universal.
ReplyDeleteYou only need to look at the success the Department of Veterans Affairs has had to realize how beneficial EMR can be. Beyond the the obvious benefits of accessing a patient chart from anywhere in the country in the event of an emergency, an EMR can work as a patient safety net including decreasing the chance of medical error, reminding a provider about needed tests or flagging medication interractions.
ReplyDeletePrivacy concerns can be addressed with restricting access to patient information based on a caregiver's role; and implementing audit controls and an audit trail.
I agree with this author in the fact that universal medical records is a neccessary action needed in order to improve the quality of the health care system.
ReplyDeleteThanks for contributing to this class blog; I appreciate the important points you offered in your post. Please feel welcome to comment on any other part of this blog.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the paperless/electronic health record. I am an older adult and have many doctors. Having all my records electronic for each doctor to see helps them follow my medications and dates of doctor visits and tests/procedures. My memory is failing me and I am not able to remember all the medication names and medical history that would be repeatedly asked of me. Having all my record in a computer not only saves time but is especially helpful when entering a hospital or in an emergency situation where time is of the essense. I travel around the county visiting my children, having my health records available where ever I am would benefit not only myself but my children who care for me and are not aware of all the medications I may be on, and what my current medical history is.
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