Medical imaging providers have made good use of Electronic Health Records software, improving clinical workflows by integrating these products with existing legacy systems. With additional data from PACS platforms, radiologists can become more involved in the continuum of care beyond capturing scans.
But with the growing popularity of digital records creating opportunities for new vendors, is there any room for universal EHR software?
The potential for national EHR products
EHRIntelligence explained that the concept of a universal EHR is good in theory, as it would help eliminate many of the obstacles to quality care. These might include the lack of integration with disparate systems or effective interoperability with other health plans. However, the feasibility of this reality is miniscule at best.
A recent Harvard Business Review article, authored by Permanente Federation’s Amy Compton-Phillips, M.D., and Kedar Mate, M.D., from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and Weill Cornell Medical College, pointed out that the absence of a universal EHR is getting in the way of integrated health care across the U.S.
“The lack of a single health record for each patient that clinicians from all specialties can access in both inpatient and outpatient settings is an obstacle to integrating care. In addition, patient privacy protections inhibit the sharing of health information, creating both perceived and real hurdles,” they wrote, quoted by EHRIntelligence.
One of the biggest obstacles to a national digital record system is how providers view clinical information. To many doctors, medical data is seen as an aspect of patient ownership, and they feel that surrendering that exclusivity could have a negative impact on their practices. However, the concept of a universal EHR may fall in line with federal and state health IT regulations and policies.
Taking part in Meaningful Use engages doctors in health information exchange with partnering facilities to enhance the continuum of care. Without HIE, many patients are left to their own devices when it comes to visiting with other doctors. Despite this, the growing EHR market makes it unlikely that providers will see a universal option any time soon.
The drawbacks of medical scribes
With their existing EHR software, radiologists and other physicians may employ the services of scribes to record meaningful data during consultations. Although this might be useful in the short term, it could hinder technological improvements to digital records and put patients at risk, according to FierceEMR.
The medical scribe industry is increasing, as there is now an American College of Medical Scribe Specialists and an official certification program. In addition, the number of scribes has been doubling every year, with almost 20,000 estimated to be employed at practices by the end of 2014. However, providers should be mindful to not view this as an alternative to the state of current EHRs.
The inclusion of scribes may inadvertently lead to decreasing market demand for EHRs and stagnation of software advancements. Rather than hire on-site assistants, physicians should demand better products from their vendors to better serve patients.
Contact Viztek for more information.
Ronny Bachrach
Latest posts by Ronny Bachrach (see all)
- Konica Minolta Debuts First-of-Its-Kind Digital U-Arm System at AHRA - July 27, 2016
- Researchers Detect Signs Of Stroke Risk Using MRI - June 27, 2016
- Imaging Biz: Q&A with David S. Channin MD: How to Make PACS Patient Centered - June 22, 2016
0
0
0
