The federal government has encouraged widespread adoption of EMRs for many valid reasons, but the electronic tools undoubtedly have their downfalls, according to Anesthesia Business Consultants President and CEO Tony Mira.
Mr. Mira shared six pros and cons of EMR adoption:
Pro: EMRs can help facilitate safer, more reliable prescribing practices.
Con: The fractured EMR market might fail to align the goals of all stakeholders.
Pro: EMRs can lower costs by limiting paperwork and reducing duplication.
Con: New EMRs in particular might have functionality issues such as missing fields or premature case closure.
Pro: EMRs can enhance the privacy and security of patient data.
Con: EMRs rushed to market without proper security and infrastructure can pose major issues for hospitals.