Welcome to EMR and HIPAA

I found an article that is a little dated, but could just as accurately be written today. It is by a Dr. who developed his own EMR. I can’t imagine how he managed to do this and still stay married(since his blog says he has been married 30 years). Regardless, he makes some interesting points about why an EMR isn’t everything that is dreamed to be even if “he couldn’t get by without it.” EMR’s have pluses and minuses and this article gives some concise reasons why EMR’s still have their cons. Here’s a summary:

• Data Entry-Pen scribbling is quicker than EMR entry
• Depersonalization-Computer between you and the patient
• What about the paper?-Paperless Office isn’t possible. You still must scan into an EMR
• What about the old charts?-He suggests you must scan these charts
• Legacy Software-Cost to convert(even if it’s just billing software)
• Design Issues-EMR developed by programmers and not Doctors
• Cost-Need I say more?

He ends with this assertion: “the results will be well worth the wait”.

I agree with him whole heartedly! EMR is still an infant in the software development cycle and has a ways to go. However, if you wait think how many more charts you’ll have to scan in.

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