As some providers continue the use of HIEs (Health Information Exchanges) some of the caregivers are turning to the new EHR alternative being offered, called “EHR Lite”. An electronic health record is an electric version of a patients’ medical history that is maintained by the provider over time.
It may comprise all of the key administrative clinical data applicable to that person’s care under a specific provider, including, progress notes, vital signs, demographics, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports.
Several non-EHR users are beginning to see the value of an EHR and are taking the path of going paperless and staying connected. This helps physicians to have immediate access to all patient treatment information. It also permits the highest level of care possible resulting in improved workflow, reduced costs and better patient care.
The EHR has potential to support other care-related activities directly or indirectly through various interfaces, including evidence based decision support, and quality management. There are numerous specialities that necessitate more than what a general EHR can do for them. The primary care physicians may do well with the multi-speciality EHR.
For example, a cardiology clinic is using the appropriate templates, while rheumatologists may prefer a speciality system.
An EHR has numerous templates, reports and many physicians are still struggling to use the EHR. They are spending more time with filling the information in the EHR and spending less time with the patients. A ‘lite weight EHR’ basis on only minimum requirement to better patient care and quality covering multi-speciality.
This lite version or compact version is for the physicians using a paper chart or going back to the paper chart. Paper charts require additional personnel to handle and support paper files and to organise countless documents. Some medical practices need to store paper medical records in large warehouses, where they occupy space and with time they deteriorate.
If other physicians need a particular patient’s records, they need to be faxed, scanned or emailed. Paper records are more vulnerable to break in, losing it by staff member or by a natural disaster such as fire or flood. Although physicians may experience some initial costs, electronic medical records can be stored very securely in the cloud allowing the use of fewer resources and gives the ability to access data anytime and anywhere.
Conclusion
EHR lite is the next step in the continued progress of healthcare that can strengthen the relationship between patients and clinicians. The data and the promptness and accessibility of it will empower providers to make effective decisions and proffer better care. For example, the EHR can help improve patient care by reducing the incidence of medical error and by improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records.