How to Save Time by Streamlining Medical Documentation

The health-care industry seems to be the last that still primarily maintains records with pen and paper. While there is no uniform electronic system used by providers wishing to computerize data, several efficient programs exist and are quickly gaining popularity. By converting to electronic medical records (EMR) you can save time, money and space to help streamline your practice.

Instructions

• 1

  Start with new patients. Once you decide it's time to streamline your medical records, by picking an easy place to start you'll avoid getting discouraged. Without an abundance of background information to sift through, new patients are perfect candidates to help you get used to your new software.

• 2

  Convert existing patients with paper files to EMR as you see them. Discerning between pertinent and irrelevant information for new permanent records of existing patients will likely be your most time-consuming task when changing to EMR. Physicians should make these judgment calls, however clerical assistance may be the worth hiring to aid with data entry.

• 3

  Run your practice with an increased sense of efficiency regarding time, space and environmental waste. EMRs also allow you to communicate more efficiently with other medical offices and insurance providers. You may need additional computers for your EMR system to operate ideally.