EMR is about the ease of capturing and accessing information, said Karen Bornstein, president, Medicus, a laboratory information systems company. “One of the main benefits is the ability to consolidate all the lab results for the clinical staff. Distributor sales representatives should be able to offer tools like Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) to document, manage, monitor and send all completed and accurate test results to patient chart in EMR.”
This can be done with an LIS partner or a manufacturer partner that offers tools to help customers move data electronically to the correct patient chart in EMR. In the following Q&A, Bornstein provided insights on how EMR can improve workflow, patient safety, and EMR’s importance amid COVID-19.
Repertoire: How can EMR solutions improve workflow?
Karen Bornstein: EMR solutions improve workflow by moving patient care information electronically vs. manually charting and printing information for provider and patient review.
- Reduces paper and printing of patient information.
- Providers can review patient lab, radiology, occupational and physical therapy results all
in one chart vs. multiple pages of paper. - Patients have access to web portals to view information. Reduces provider or callbacks
to patients.
Repertoire: What about patient safety? Reduced staffing?
Bornstein: Patient safety: Ensures accurate information is posted electronically to the correct patient record. The information is secure and only shared as per patient provider agreement.
Reduction in staff: By eliminating multiple manual steps, paper reports, and tasks that are unnecessary due to electronic pathways, staff can be reduced.
Repertoire: Why are these benefits important in today’s current environment of COVID, and even for post-COVID health care?
Bornstein: Creating an electronic record environment to accurately and efficiently manage lab test results and other patient care requirements is paramount and necessary. Patient web portals allow for remote review of results and provider information. Providers save time and money.
Repertoire: How was EMR used by frontline care givers amid the pandemic?
Bornstein: We have heard that there are many challenges without the ability to manage results electronically, especially at testing sites. There were patient information mix-ups due to manual processes vs. the ability to record information electronically and process information to the correct patient chart in EMR.
Repertoire: What are common challenges and pitfalls as it relates to deploying EMR platforms?
Bornstein:
- Selecting the EMR that “best fits” provider/patient requirements.
- Ensuring that the EMR selected has all the features necessary to communicate and manage all immediate and ongoing requirements of the patient care facility.
- Add-on costs – it is important to address short- and long-term goals upfront when selecting the EMR platform.
- Implementation and support – ensuring that the EMR company can expedite implementation and provide excellent ongoing support.
Repertoire: How can reps help providers with EMR challenges? What questions should they ask clients?
Bornstein: Reps can help providers by offering products and tools that will make managing patient care easier.