Better care made easier—isn’t that what we as physicians are looking for? Electronic medical records (EMRs) have helped my practice become more efficient and effective than was possible with paper-based records. EMRs act as real-time communication devices that help me know what I need to know about my patients during office visits and give me immediate access to information, like test results.

EMRs also can improve the quality of health care that medical practices and physicians provide by allowing us to improve patient-centered treatment, increase communication with patients, and track physicians’ performances and patients’ progress.

I’ve been using EMRs for six years, and can attest that they have significantly improved my record keeping as well as the quality of care I am able to provide. Two key areas where they’ve helped me improve are helping my patients manage their chronic diseases and get recommended preventive care. Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes require constant monitoring and regularly scheduled tests. By storing those records electronically, I can easily access my patients’ information, monitor their progress, and carefully manage their conditions over time. For example, diabetes is becoming more common within our community.  It is important  for patients with diabetes to have their blood sugar, eyes and kidneys tested regularly to make sure they are functioning properly.  EMRs allow you to view your patients’ test results and medical records with the click of a few buttons, rather than flipping through pages of information. 

There are several types of software available, but I’ve found programs that generate automatic reminders to be the most helpful, especially with preventive care. As you know, it’s not uncommon for a physician to see anywhere from 100 to 120 patients a week and it’s often a challenge to remember exactly what each patient needs… and when.  Reminders for flu shots, tetanus shots, annual pap smears, colonoscopies and other routine procedures help physicians and our staff remind patients that their tests need to be scheduled.  Sending reminders and updates is similar to how you program your smart phone.  EMRs can help you be a more effective physician.

Unfortunately, due to costs, these computerized information systems have not achieved the same degree of penetration in health care as in the financial, transportation, manufacturing and retail industries. However, I’ve found that EMRs help generate more revenue. The convenience of having the information in one place allows my practice to be more efficient and opens our schedules for more appointments. Also, the automatic reminders for tests help us administer more recommended preventive care, ensuring that our patients are not only getting the best care, but also that we see them before they get sick—so we can help keep them healthy. 

EMRs have also helped me improve communication and understanding with my patients. At the end of each visit, EMRs produce a one-page summary of the results of each test. Patients can use this summary as a report card to evaluate how they are doing and understand what they need to do to stay healthy. This puts more knowledge in the hands of the patient, which helps them adhere to my recommendations so I can be more effective.

Additionally, I use EMRs to evaluate the performance of my practice. For example, I can use EMRs to generate reports with information on patients being treated for a particular disease, such as diabetes. I can see what the average hemoglobin A1C level is among all my diabetes patients and if it needs to be improved. These reports help me set goals and implement processes that are beneficial to both individual patients and my total  patient population.

Every physician strives to deliver the best care possible, but we could all use some additional support. EMRs can serve as your virtual assistant, giving you quick access to important patient information and easy evaluation and comparison tools. Your patients will appreciate the better quality of care.

The Healthy Memphis Common Table’s Vision is to Become One of America’s Healthiest Cities. For more information, go to www.healthymemphis.org.

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