Electronic Medical Records as a Mode of Communication
Sandi Berry-Shooter
HCS/490
December 12, 2010
Bob Schroeder – Facilitator
University of Phoenix

Electronic Medical Records as a Mode of Communication Communication is key when it concerns providing medical care to patients. One very important part of communication is the use of electronic medical records. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) electronic medical records are described as the following: 1) A longitudinal collection of health information for and about persons. 2) Immediate electronic access to person-population-level information by authorized users. 3) Provision of knowledge and decision-support systems that enhance the quality, safety, and efficiency of patient care. 4) Support for the efficient processes for health care delivery (Open Clinical, 2008).
Several terms can be used to describe electronic medical records. These items consist of the following: electronic health record (EHR), electronic patient record (EPR), and computer-based patient records. These terms can be used interchangeably or generically, but some differences have been identified (Open Clinical, 2008). Three main functions of electronic medical records are 1) To capture data at the point of care. 2) To integrate data from multiple internal and external sources. 3) To support caregiver decision-making (Open Clinical, 2008). Patients derive many benefits from electronic medical records. One main benefit of electronic medical records is that the record maintains a data and information trail that can be readily analyzed for medical audit, research, and quality assurance, epidemiological, monitoring, and disease surveillance. With the advancement of technology also came the problem of protecting a patient’s medical information. Congress enacted the Health Insurance