Converting to entirely automated medical records is an advantageous move, despite the challenges that the medical community has faced in achieving this transition. Specialized automated data systems allow dermatologists to integrate patient data on surgical procedures, and patients’ historical data, while providing higher overall levels of accuracy. To make the most of current technologies, however, it becomes necessary to integrate and streamline such data into a comprehensive Dermatology Electronic Medical Records (EMR) or Dermatology Electronic Health Records (EHR) System.
• Understanding EHR/ EMR Software
An Electronic Health Records (EHR) or Electronic Medical Records System includes the following components:
- Infrastructure – Physical and hardware system components, for example, Workstations and Servers, Tablet PC, Laptops, Monitors, Scanners, Networking components like Routers and Bridges, etc.
- Software – Application software (EMR or EHR Software), Operating System software (Windows 2003 server, for example), utilities, and other applications like Instant Messaging, Fax Servers, Networking Software, Lab interfaces (with Quest, Labcorp), ePrescription, etc..
- People – Personnel involved in using, maintaining or managing the EMR – this includes the Clinical and administrative staff, Physicians, etc . All these people require the appropriate level of training in order to maximize the value of using the EMR or EHR.
- Business Processes – Guidelines, instructions, and steps involved in keeping the EMR System running smoothly. This includes patient appointment scheduling, appointment reminders, billing, co-pay, patient accounting, etc.
- Data – Information captured, used, and supported by a system, including documents, images and databases.
• Dermatology-Specific Workflow
In this article, the term “workflow” refers to Dermatology EMR Software that can be adapted easily to the way you conduct your day-to-day tasks. A competitive system of this kind should allow you to integrate all patient data into a unified database for better accessibility and ease of use. In effect, this is what all Dermatology EMR Systems aim for – increased accessibility from a single user interface.
• Ensuring Equipment and Software Compatibility
Many dermatologists acquire new patients from a wide variety of community referral locations, patients who receive healthcare from physicians that may use different machines and software. Without an EMR solution, the process of transferring patient data from one machine to another can be prone to system compatibility issues and data inconsistencies.
In order to provide the best possible patient care and to avoid repeating any tests, you must be able to check previous imaging and other important patient reports. The problem is you have to find a way to minimize compatibility issues when integrating the imported data into your current patient management system, but this becomes much easier with Dermatology EMR Solutions. The right EMR can really help increase your efficiency, especially if you consult on patients in hospitals and other settings separate from your primary office.
• Drawing Dermatologic Diagrams in Your EMR System
By using tablet PCs, or even traditional desktop computers, physicians can now draw anatomical diagrams directly in the patient’s record. This feature can come in handy in multiple different ways – i.e. adding visual notes or tracking growth and other changes in dermatological lesions.
• Adapting Your Dermatology EMR System to Provide Hands-On Support
Dermatologists often conduct extensive and difficult excisions of carcinomas in hospital or clinic settings. During such surgical interventions, you can have your Dermatology EMR Software record vital signs in real time, as well as trigger audible and visual notifications in the event of atypical readings. By enabling you to control virtually any parameter and alarm exactly the way you want, a competitive EMR will eliminate the need to watch the monitor continually.
• Achieving Easier Tracking of Staff and Patient Activities
Appointment reminders and frequent laboratory tests usually swallow up lots of time from your staff. A Dermatologic EMR System that is capable to integrate automatic emails or phone calls a week or more before each appointment can significantly improve efficiency.
Additionally, your EMR system should make it easy to track and timestamp the activities of every authorized user. A solid EMR should allow you to minimize human error and improve outcomes by integrating and managing various repetitive tasks, such as ordering lab tests or sending out electronic prescriptions.