Electronic Health Records
Our world has been profoundly transformed by digital technology – not only through the way we communicate in our daily lives but also through a more seamless flow of information within a digital health care structure. When it comes to patients’ health records, paper charts are being replaced with a digital version, Electronic Health Record (EHR).
EHRs transform the way health care is delivered and make it easier for information to be readily available whenever it is needed. The system was built to make information available instantly and securely to authorized users and also serves as an inclusive of a broader view of a patient’s care. The benefits of EHRs include:
- One place that contains patients’ medical history, treatment plans, lab test results, x-ray images, MRIs, etc.
- Allow access to evidence-based programs that health care providers can use to make decisions about a patient’s care.
- Health information can be created, managed, and shared by authorized providers to other providers across more than one health care organization. This would allow health care specialists, medical imaging facilities, pharmacies, and any other clinicians involved in a patient’s care to have access to patients’ information at the same time.
Patient Portals
Another new technology in the health care industry that is quickly becoming more popular is the patient portal, which essentially provides better patient communication. Patients are able to utilize the portal to schedule appointments, referrals, and request prescription refills directly from the portal. The patient portal increases the efficiency of a clinical staff, allowing them to keep their focus on helping the patients who have the most urgent care needs and questions.
Benefits to Patient Portals
- Saves Time: Registration forms can be completed electronically prior to appointment check-in, saving patients’ time and also keeping front-office work efficient.
- Better Patient-Physician Relationships: Patients can have 24-hour access to connect with their provider when they have important questions about their health.
- Makes Tasks Easier: Requesting prescription refills and referrals are easier and more convenient for patients.
- Creates Better Office Workflow: Tasks that patients would normally use staff assistance with can be accomplished electronically, allowing staff to be freed up from scheduling appointments, writing down refill needs, and answering questions about referrals. The time that once was spent on these tasks can essentially be used to perform other duties related to patient care.
Over the next 3-6 months, Merckling Family Chiropractic will be utilizing new software called Eclipse as an online patient portal to make it easier for their patients to schedule appointments and have instant access to their medical records.
