Electronic Medical Records for (HIPAA) Compliance

Technology promises many important advances in the way the medical industry maintains health records. By introducing new technology and electronic medical records, health-care professionals can prevent medical mistakes, and provide more cost effective record management. Technology improves efficiency and productivity while leading to better health care value. The health care industry has long been at the forefront of technological innovation and this is particularly evidenced by the growth in electronic patient medical records.

There are two types of computerized medical records. The first type of computer medical records are digital images from scanned paper-based medical records in TIFF or PDF formats. The second type is paperless electronic medical record (EMR).

The EMR is the legal record of what happened to the patient during the clinical patient encounter. Included in this information are patient meta data, progress notes, prescriptions, electrocardiogram (EKG) tests, medical history, immunizations, lab results and radiology reports.

The electronic medical record (EMR) is essential for the efficient storage, distribution, and retrieval of patient records in hospitals. An important benefit of EHR is improved workflow as document management software contain built in workflow modules. Workflow modules include manual workflow and rule-based workflow. Manual workflow allows users to view the document and decide who to send it to. Rules-based workflow allows administrators to create rules to direct the flow of the health care through the facility. For instance, approval workflow routes a medical record or data to a group of people for approval.

Hospitals and health care providers still require the old paper-based medical records after the introduction of an EMR software in a hospital. The solution is to scan in existing medical records and charts using OCR can create PDF files that are searchable. Searching is also done by reading the contents, aided by naming conventions of the PDF file name. These searchable files can be stored on secured servers that can be accessed only by those with the proper credentials. This technology is a win for doctors and patients alike.

This new way data management of patient medical records addresses compliance issues with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly referred to as the HIPAA. This act requires that hospitals and health care providers maintain detailed patient medical records so that health records are accessible and portable.

When information is stored on a computer connected to a network, there are naturally concerns expressed about the security of the patient medical records. Because of these concerns, the HIPAA mandates that precautions must be taken to ensure the security and confidentiality of any medical records stored on the server. This is accomplished by securing both the server and the network from unauthorized individuals.

The HIPAA also requires that health care providers and hospitals must maintain proper records concerning who has access to the medical records as well as information on those who access the records. This helps maintain the confidential nature of patient medical records.

The end result of scanning in the patient medicals, storing them on a secure server, and then tracking access to the records is that patients are able to receive better, more accurate health care while doctors are able to have much more information about the patient’s condition available to him. Everyone in the health care system can benefit from this increased efficiency.

Do you need a medical records scanning company? Go to New York Document Scanning for medical records document scanning, HIPAA compliance and more.

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38 Responses to “Electronic Medical Records for (HIPAA) Compliance”

  1. Good article. I focus more on the paperwork side of it, but it was a good article. I think everyone agrees that the future of information lies online and not on a tree. What is your take on Google getting into storing patients’ records? How do you recommend the health care businesses get rid of the paperwork after they scan it through shredding? I found one more resource that talks about HIPAA, along with other such privacy laws,
    http://www.fellowes.com/Fellowes/site/workspace/workspace_article_identity_8.aspx
  2. admin says:
    Google Health allows patients to upload such information as medical records, prescriptions, and medical history and share that information with their healthcare providers. Storing the electronic data in one place can help health professionals eliminate medical errors and coordinate care between providers.

    Medical records for which retention is no longer required should be shredded or otherwise destroyed in accordance with HIPAA guidelines. It is the
    responsibility of covered entities to understand the laws as they apply to proper disposal.

  3. Tania says:
    Greatings,
    I have already seen it somethere

    Have a nice day
    Tania

  4. Zoran says:
    Hi,
    Thanks for article. Everytime like to read you.

    Thank you
    Zoran

  5. Kim Diamond says:
    I think its great idea, too many practices dont manage information effectively and lose paper files. We have started implementing technology in our practice for some time now and its making a huge difference. We use range of medical scanning products from a company called CSSN.
  6. Has read with the pleasure, very interesting post, write still, good luck to you!Cheers
  7. vessel sinks says:
    I think its great idea, too many practices dont manage information effectively and lose paper files so proper electronics equipment for data management should be there.
  8. HIPAA compliance is mandatory for any covered entity.

    Thanks for the info and article.

  9. I’ve been looking for topics as interesting as this.Thanks for such a great blog to share with.I read your blog and found it very informative..Keep on posting!
  10. Technology in health care industry is a real boon for everyone out there. Data accessed is very easy compared to paper data.
  11. Great overview on the benefits of scanned medical records
  12. Praveen says:
    Good Article. We are purpose to impliment the same. Sir, please inform me the EMR sytem require any authontication from approved authorities(India).

    praveen

  13. nile cruises says:
    The EMR is the legal record of what happened to the patient during the clinical patient encounter and electrocardiogram (EKG) tests, medical history, immunizations, lab results and radiology reports.
  14. italy rental says:
    This act requires that hospitals and health care providers maintain detailed patient medical records so that health records are accessible and portable while there is some disadvantage of data manipulation.
  15. Nice to read about medical recorder for health. Yes its more useful then professionals because he can prevent mistake but medical recorded doesn’t that.
  16. Google Health provides such information as medical records, prescriptions, and medical history and share it for all. I think this is the best way to records medical reports. And after read your blog i thank full to you for provide such this types of information.
  17. Alex@pdf says:
    The above article is very much helpfull in understanding things in better way.

    Thanks

    Alex

  18. EMR Medical says:
    great read. Thanks for sharing this informative article.
  19. term paper says:
    This compliance seems quite useful. I hope it will have good results and help people to recover faster.
  20. I wrote extensively about pmr’s and google’s eventual soon to be dominance of the field. They have every conceivable advantage for this business but for some reason the business is not catching on.
    health insurance quotes recently posted..Aetna Makes Positive ChangeMy ComLuv Profile
  21. cecil grass says:
    I am very glad that emr systems are gaining popularity. I’m using the emr system
    and I can say that they are an invaluable asset in today’s health care system. The free demo offered will convince doubters of the value of the system.
  22. Poker Tables says:
    It is very useful medical attendant since it will minimize the errors. I hope it will help patient to recover faster.
    Poker Tables recently posted..Other new Poker ItemsMy ComLuv Profile
  23. Technically, this should make things a lot easier.
  24. Searching is also done by reading the contents, aided by naming conventions of the PDF file name.These searchable files can be stored on secured servers that can be accessed only by those with the proper credentials while there are better option available in the blog to share.
  25. The EMR is the legal record of the patient during the clinical patient encounter.Included in this information are patient meta data,progress notes,prescriptions, electrocardiogram (EKG) tests to be done in the blog.
  26. Hello, please let me know this require any permission or not. thank you for sharing this.
  27. cosplay says:
    for business meetings and presentations, at your school or university, on the road if you’re a salesman… the possibilities never end
  28. I think everyone agrees that the future of information lies online and not on a tree. What is your take on Google getting into storing patients’ records? How do you recommend the health care businesses get rid of the paperwork after they scan it through shredding
  29. You got some great ideas there. Thank you for this ob post.
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  31. Cheers for this post, It’s a fantastic read which was extremely helpful.
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  33. The electronic medical record is essential for the efficient storage,distribution and retrieval of patient records in hospitals.An important benefit of EHR is improved workflow as document management software contain built in workflow modules which is best to share in the blog.
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  35. mypadmedia says:
    I’m not so sure about what I’m reading. If you could clarify your stance.
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