I really have mixed emotions on this issue. I firmly see the benefit of
having medical records available electronically, but based on what I have
been reading outside of the RM lists is the cost itself to move towards
electronic medical records.
From what I have read the cost of the transition to electronic has been a
very expensive proposition for members of the medical profession. If memory
serves me the medical profession (clinics, doctors, etc.,) have asked for
relief because of the financial burden. As we all know, a conversion to
electronic is cheap and there are on-going costs. Those costs have to be
paid by somebody. If the federal government, then you and I are still
paying and they increase out co-pay, fees, etc., to pay for it. If it's a
private sector clinic, etc., then they have to raise the price to meet the
requirement. Somebody has to pay .... And it is not cheap and it's not
free.
Bob Dalton, CRM
Dalton Consulting
-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Roach, Bill J.
Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2005 11:14 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: WAS Re: ARMA Newswire; NOW: EHR/EMR needs our attention
>>ill-though out plans <<
I am not sure I am on the same side of the page on this issue as some of my
esteemed colleagues. I am strongly in favor of an EHR/EMR. Granted, I am
concerned about privacy issues. But I am also concerned about the rapidly
rising cost of treatment. Inability to access previous test and treatment
records leads to unnecessary testing and duplicated procedures.
Personal experience has shown that it is very difficult for a person to
gather all the needed medical information. Even when very competent
organizations are involved in the process it is incredibly difficult to
locate an entire medical record.
I also believe that a consolidated medical record would prevent major
difficulties for many patients, especially the elderly. They often have the
perspective that the doctors must know what each other is doing because they
work together. Often that perception is not the case. The consolidated
record would at the very least contain information from the various
practices.
Another issue is the ability to access records. While folks that live in
the big city may find it relatively easy to access primary care records when
they require emergency care, access in rural areas is much more difficult.
Many patients in the Bismarck, ND hospitals are brought here by ambulance or
LifeFlight from a hundred or more miles away. An electronic record would
greatly simplify ER and hospital access to critical health information.
I do think it has to be done right, I also think it has to be done now.
We have a tendency to want to spend a whole lot of time working out the
details to make sure everything is perfect. Sometimes there is time,
sometimes not. Everyday we wait on this issue increases the overall cost of
medical care.
Bill R
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