Pros and Cons of Paper Charts vs EMR Systems

When it comes to the argument of paper charts vs. electronic medical records (EMR) systems, there are pros and cons on both sides that must be considered. From cutting down redundancies in patient information and facts to enhancing accessibility, EMR systems have a lot to deliver medical professionals and their patients alike. However, there are also particular downsides to using an EMR system that should not be overlooked. In order to make the best decision for your practice, it is crucial to weigh all the pros and cons of using paper charts vs EMR systems. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of these pros and cons.

PROS:

1. Reduced redundancies: One of the primary benefits of using an EMR system is that it can help to cut down redundancies in patient information. With paper charts, it is easy for essential details to get lost or misplaced. This can often lead to duplicate tests being ordered or completely wrong medications being prescribed. On the other hand, with an EMR system, all of a patient’s information is stored in one central location. This makes it much easier for medical care experts to access and update the information as needed, which can ultimately help to improve patient care.

2. Advanced accessibility: Another advantage of using an EMR system is that it can strengthen accessibility to important medical information. With paper charts, there is always the risk that they could be lost or misplaced. This can make it hard for healthcare professionals to access the information they need when they need it. However, with an EMR system, all of a patient’s information is stored in one central location that can be easily accessed by anyone with the proper permissions.

3. Better decision-making: Another benefit of using an EMR system is that it can help to develop decision-making by medical professionals. With paper charts, it can be difficult to get a full picture of a patient’s health history. This can often lead to completely wrong diagnoses or treatments being prescribed. However, with an EMR system, all of a patient’s information is readily available. This allows healthcare professionals to quickly and easily review a patient’s entire health background before generating any judgements.

4. Improved communication: Another advantage of using an EMR system is that it can help to strengthen communication between medical specialists. With paper charts, it can be tricky to keep track of who has seen which chart and when. This can often lead to critical information getting lost in the shuffle. On the other hand, with an EMR system, all of a patient’s details is stored in one central location. This allows medical professionals to easily see which colleague has accessed the information and when.

5. Increased efficiency: One final benefit of using an EMR system is that it can help to enhance efficiency in the healthcare setting. With paper charts, a lot of time can be misused searching for lost or misplaced charts. This can often lead to slow downs in care. On the other hand, with an EMR system, all of a patient’s details is stored in one central location. This allows healthcare professionals to quickly and easily access the data they need, which can help to boost patient care.

CONS:

1. High initial cost: One of the primary negative aspects of using an EMR system is that it can be very expensive to implement. In many cases, the upfront cost of an EMR system can be prohibitive for small practices.

2. Difficult to learn: Another draw back of using an EMR system is that it can be complicated for healthcare experts to learn how to use the technology. In many cases, extensive training is required in order to use an EMR system effectively.

3. Time-consuming: Another problem of using an EMR system is that it can be very time-consuming to enter all of the details into the system. In many cases, this can lead to delays in patient care.

4. Very little customization: One final problem of using an EMR system is that they can often be very limited in terms of modification. In many cases, EMR systems are only designed to work with specific types of practices. This can make it challenging for small practices to find a process that meets their needs.

While there are many benefits to using an EMR system, it is not always the right choice for a practice. Some practices may find that they are better off sticking with paper charts or only using electronic health records for particular aspects of their company. No matter which course you decide to take, make sure you carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option and choose the system that will work best for your individual practice. If you’re still doubtful what system is ideal for you, don’t be reluctant to contact us today. Our team can help you figure out which system would be appropriate for your unique needs and give you a demonstration of how it would work in your office.