It is believed EMRs improve medical and public hospital efficiency, reduce costs and promote standardization of care. It is also suspected that they reduce medical errors and ultimately improve the quality of care. Researchers from Harvard have just released a study that could be the first real proof that electronic health records have an advantage over with traditional paper-based systems. The benefits on the universal adoption of electronic health records seem obvious, but until recently there have been fewer opportunities to illustrate them.

Research organizations from Harvard has just released a study showing that electronic medical records provide a substantial advantage over traditional paper systems. As more health care providers is introduced for medical treatment software, is the term EMR (electronic medical record) becomes a household term. It can also be called an EHR (electronic health records) or PHR (patient health record). An EMR is mainly the patient’s chart in digital format. It contains information on each patient for demographics, insurance, prescription records, test results, medical history, progress notes, and so on.

It also contains features to locate the digital record in a database, and with the right conditions, can be accessed  anywhere in the health facility or outside the office. It is believed EMRs doctors improve efficiency, reduce costs, promote standardization, improve the quality of care and reduce medical errors. If they have been around for almost 30 years, estimated about 10% of health care that uses a comprehensive medical system management software. With such a small sample size, realized gains are difficult to present. In 2006, BusinessWeek published a story about the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Buffalo, New York.

In the mid-1990s, installed the most comprehensive electronic medical records systems in the U.S. and patients believe that revolutionized the hospital, reduce errors and improve quality of care. A recent Harvard study indicates that use of electronic health records and electronic health records, can reduce malpractice claims. The study showed that the 6th 1% of the physicians using EMRs has endured a malpractice trial, compared with 10th 8% who used traditional paper charts. In the U.S., an estimated 100,000 deaths occur each year due to medical errors. These medical mistakes are often the result of misunderstandings, typos, side effects and incomplete patient records.

Ehrs that doctors have instant and ubiquitous access to the patient’s entire medical history, and improve communication between primary care lee cers, specialists, nurses and other health professionals to avoid costly mistakes. According to The Industry Standard, lead researcher Steven Simon, MD, MPH, said: “The results from this study indicate that preventive medical negligence claims may be a another compelling reason for physicians, practice and policy-makers to pursue action against the universal adoption and optimal use of electronic health records. “Simon and his team just a group of individuals who are working hard to promote the universal adoption of EMRs.

VA hospital in Buffalo is a perfect example of a successful transition to a practice management system. Companies such as e-MDS is working hard to support this movement with revolutionary medical management software. Congressmen Peter Stark leads the way with its Health-e Information Technology Act of 2008 was introduced in the House earlier in September. As the number of supporters is increasing awareness and hopefully funding will follow. The benefits of EMRs will further be realized over time and with the universal adoption.