In our last edition, we announced we would be featuring a series in which we key in on various industries and their respective implementations of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence and how these platforms enhance efficiencies. 

Previously, we took a deeper dive into manufacturing processes, an industry who has been an early adopter of AI with the adoption of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) solutions. Specifically, we explored manufacturing metrics of production processes and output via an Information Technology (IT) foundation. 

This month, we will be taking a closer look at Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and how they have

helped streamline the healthcare industry. You will learn how the implementation of EMRs have allowed the storage of digital records, ultimately permitting physicians to deliver higher quality, more accurate patient health care.

Enhancing Health Care by Going Digital

By: Sheri Beattie

Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) or Electronic Health Record Systems (EHRs) help a physician or hospital maintain digital records on patients, while dramatically reducing the amount of storage necessary to hold these records. The move from paper-based records to digital records became required with the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). It required all practitioners to move to electronic records by 2014. 

Most systems have the ability for a physician to perform digital charting in real-time, reviewing previous health history and merging a patient’s previous visit record into their current record to ensure that the patient is getting the most up-to-date health care. Systems can use customized templates for completing all fields relating to a health history to ensure that all questions are answered, even making some fields mandatory and not allowing the user to continue until answered. 

Electronic order entry is another key feature of an EMR, allowing the physician the ability to review, enter, store, and transmit orders directly from a computer or other device (even a mobile device) for lab tests, medication, or other services such as x-rays. 

Decision support is also included in many EMRs, which includes the ability for physicians and others to review treatment alerts or other recommendations meant to help provide patient support based upon patient data or conditions. These will often be triggered upon order entry or upon discharge and can be items like dietary orders, physical therapy orders, or discharge information.

E-prescribing is also a helpful feature, which allows physicians to either electronically print or transmit a prescription to a pharmacy for a patient. Using e-prescribe, the physician can also receive notification automatically from the pharmacy relating to concerns such as allergies, dosage amounts, and other items. 

Many EMRs also come with a patient portal which allow the patient to log in and see a record of their visit, medication instructions, lab results, and number of visits with the doctor. Research shows that when patients have access to a patient portal, they tend to stay more engaged and active with their own healthcare. 

These items are for a typical hospital-level EMR, but many of these features can also feed into a practice-level EMR as well, so that the physician can receive the most updated information when a patient has a hospital visit. 

Bio: 

Sheri Beattie-Smithkey: I have over 25 years of experience in training and educating adults in various fields including automotive, biomedical, insurance, financial, education, and healthcare. I’ve been an individual contributor as well as a manager of teams of trainers and instructional designers who create and deliver both instructor-led training as well as e-learning. I currently lead cross-functional teams to develop course content, interactive materials, and documentation to improve staff performance to help achieve organization objectives. 

If you have an emerging or innovative Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning topic you would like to contribute to our future newsletter content, please contact Adrienne Moulton, Marketing & Communications Manager at [email protected]

We have decided to adjust our Newsletter publishing frequency for the foreseeable future. We will be publishing quarterly, during the first month of each quarter instead of monthly. Although the frequency will be changing, you can still expect the same great content. In the meantime, if you’d like to check out our current openings at any given time, feel free to visit www.rmcagency.com/current-openings. Additionally, if you need any assistance identifying opportunities during a job search or finding quality talent for your team, please reach out to your RMC Representative or email us at [email protected].