Electronic Medical Records

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          Transitioning to electronic medical records (EMRs) from paper charts can help facilitate patient visits and help run practice more efficiently. Registered dietitians (RDs) have noted that paper charts look unprofessional when sending them to physicians and typing up patient records and notes is time and labor intensive. Paper charts can take up valuable space and can accidently be destroyed or misplaced. It is also easy for paper charts to be stolen if not locked away properly. The benefits of EMRs have interested RDs in private practice in this methodology of charting.

            EMRs make housekeeping tasks easier. They can store patient’s vital stats, contact information, insurance, referring doctors, medications, and lab results in one location. EMRs also make it easy to keep notes on patients and what was discussed in sessions. Some EMRs also have billing features, which can save the company time and money if the company doesn’t have an accountant or office manager for billing. EMRs have also saved RDs time spent charting, which leads to more personal time and a more relaxed sense to the RD.
            EMRs can also make the time with clients with productive. Some EMRs feature nutrition analysis tools, BMI history chart, weight history chart and other tools to view the client’s progress. EMRs allow the RD to chart on the client during the visit, some as easy as choosing items from a drop-down box. Some programs feature the ability to generate a report with a summary of the visit, menus, and instructions to provide to the client.
            Some problems with EMRs are storing information in a cloud system involves internet outages, power outages, or lengthy technical glitches. Another possible problem is losing the ability to calculate math problems since everything is automated, which could result in losing certain skills if you don’t practice them.
Orenstein, B. W. (2014). Electronic medical records. Today’s Dietitian, 16(9):42. Retrieved from: http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/090114p42.shtml.
-MG

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