Electronic Health Records For Dummies

Chapter 1

Understanding EHRs

In This Chapter

Understanding the scope of EHR

Taking stock of EHR benefits

Evaluating the business side of EHR use

Communicating with patients and colleagues

Protecting your patients

If you’re reading this book, you’ve already decided to at least consider taking the leap into the paperless world. That file room is looking mighty packed with paper, and you’re starting to envision it as a nice, new break room or perhaps an additional exam room. You’re keeping track of all the time it takes to pull charts, jot down or transcribe notes, and run back and forth from the fax machine. You think there has to be a better way to communicate with your patients and engage them in their care. You think it’s time for a change, a change that streamlines your workflow, improves the quality of care you can deliver to patients, and clears up both physical and mental space for everyone in the office. It’s time for the electronic health record; it’s time for your EHR.

In this chapter, we give you a big picture look at EHR systems so you know what you’re jumping into and walk you through the benefits you receive from one.

Recognizing the Worldwide Scope of EHR

To really “get” what EHR is all about, you first need to consider who uses an EHR and why, and what an EHR means to your practice. After all, you wouldn’t buy a new car unless you did a bit of background research, right? Well, maybe you would, but you might end up with a lemon. So, make this an all-lemonade, no-lemons ...