No matter what you call them -- EMRs, EHRs, etc. -- there is an over-whelming need for electronic documentation that tracks health care. It's important to the individual, the doctor, medical care institutions, research and development organizations, and payment entities. Today, the medical profession, for the most part, is still not even in the 20th century but in the 19th century with handwritten records. This is nuts. At least now a days no one is laughing at the old joke about doctors' legendary bad handwriting. We get it: bad handwriting kills people.
What is more, high-quality medical records could save time, money and lives. They could increase our knowledge many times over. We have the technology. Now we need to will to make them happen.
Fortunately, there are many companies, government agencies and professional associations working toward this.
My goal is to find a role for myself advocating for, and educating consumers about, the immediate, no-excuses implementation of electronic health records. This is an open process at the moment. And, I will keep you posted on what I learn. Stay tuned. All suggestions are greatly appreciated.
No comments:
Post a Comment