Electronic Medical Records (EMR) were brought into use in hospitals around Europe in early 2010, since then there has been much feedback about the new system, some positive and some negative. However in the United Kingdom doctors are saying that the system is being brought into place to fast.
The reason that the doctors union is saying this, is that on some occasions details have been uploaded onto the system incorrectly or without the patient’s knowledge.
in spite of all this, on the other hand patients that are visiting our hospitals on the NHS are still amazed at how doctors do not have access to basic information about them. The aim of this article is to look at what the purpose of Electronic medical records are, and will they actually be of help in the future.
What is this database for?
The electronic patient care records system will allow an individual's medical records, currently held by GPs, to be accessed by NHS staff across the country.
As well as appointments, it will contain basic information about medication, allergies and adverse reactions to any drugs.
This means that doctors and paramedics will have automatic access to these details, minimising the risks posed by mix-ups and delays. At present some doctors have to wait to find out what prescription medications their patient is taking.
Further details may be added over time, but the Department of Health says no sensitive information - such as HIV status for instance - would be added without a discussion between doctor and patient.
Health officials say patients will always have the right to ask a doctor to remove any details, and can review their records at any time.
How advanced is this system?
This system was brought in to replace the old method of paper filing,
As of the December 2010 over 1.25m records had been uploaded onto the system.The aim to have over 50m records uploaded by the year 2014.
This however is the reason the doctors union is arguing the process for being to fast, As the process is being done at a rapid rate, people are not being made aware were there records are going or on how to opt out of this system.
Why all the complaints??
Patient confidentiality. This is the main argument of bringing the system into place to quickly, With every new system that comes into place around the world there will always be an element of trail and error. But patient confidentiality should be of the highest importance.
Doctors and patient groups argue that by putting sensitive details on a national database, the information could be abused and even fall into the hands of insurance companies and employers. They question the security of the system, which is part of a £12bn IT upgrades within the NHS.
The flip side is that most agree the system will improve patient care and decrease medical mishaps, if correctly implemented.
To summarize on the new system of EMR being used in hospitals,
it is obvious that the system has both pros and cons. In the light of this,
it is still thought that the new system to gain access
to medical records will speed up most departments including treatment within the NHS.
The reason that the doctors union is saying this, is that on some occasions details have been uploaded onto the system incorrectly or without the patient’s knowledge.
in spite of all this, on the other hand patients that are visiting our hospitals on the NHS are still amazed at how doctors do not have access to basic information about them. The aim of this article is to look at what the purpose of Electronic medical records are, and will they actually be of help in the future.
What is this database for?
The electronic patient care records system will allow an individual's medical records, currently held by GPs, to be accessed by NHS staff across the country.
As well as appointments, it will contain basic information about medication, allergies and adverse reactions to any drugs.
This means that doctors and paramedics will have automatic access to these details, minimising the risks posed by mix-ups and delays. At present some doctors have to wait to find out what prescription medications their patient is taking.
Further details may be added over time, but the Department of Health says no sensitive information - such as HIV status for instance - would be added without a discussion between doctor and patient.
Health officials say patients will always have the right to ask a doctor to remove any details, and can review their records at any time.
How advanced is this system?
This system was brought in to replace the old method of paper filing,
As of the December 2010 over 1.25m records had been uploaded onto the system.The aim to have over 50m records uploaded by the year 2014.
This however is the reason the doctors union is arguing the process for being to fast, As the process is being done at a rapid rate, people are not being made aware were there records are going or on how to opt out of this system.
Why all the complaints??
Patient confidentiality. This is the main argument of bringing the system into place to quickly, With every new system that comes into place around the world there will always be an element of trail and error. But patient confidentiality should be of the highest importance.
Doctors and patient groups argue that by putting sensitive details on a national database, the information could be abused and even fall into the hands of insurance companies and employers. They question the security of the system, which is part of a £12bn IT upgrades within the NHS.
The flip side is that most agree the system will improve patient care and decrease medical mishaps, if correctly implemented.
To summarize on the new system of EMR being used in hospitals,
it is obvious that the system has both pros and cons. In the light of this,
it is still thought that the new system to gain access
to medical records will speed up most departments including treatment within the NHS.
