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Computerized medical records are a digital way of keeping records of patient information. This is an electronic version of keeping medical records that were stored in folders and paper files in healthcare offices. When a healthcare practitioner needs to switch to computerized records, they are only required to scan the paper records and enter them into the medical record system. As opposed to the documentation of patient information in papers and creating filing space for thee records, the electronic medical records are easily stored in a computer server (Shrader, 2004). Computerized medical records make it possible for the enhancement of patient care that the patients receive. The goal of computerized medical records is to have a resource that is devoted to the storage of a patient’s accurate and complete information. Healthcare workers can access patient’s information and hence making it possible for a patient to receive proper treatment. Computerized medical records make it easy to rapidly access specific medical records for a patient. This makes it possible to easily review patient’s information during an encounter. This also enables medical practices to save money because the employees no longer loose time retrieving patient’s medical records. Computerized medical records are designed for both single and multi-users hence can be used on a personal computer and also accessed simultaneously from different terminals (Stead, W., & Hammond, 2009).

Computerized medical records have numerous benefits such as saving time and money. Patient’s records can be cross-referenced or cross- filed depending on different factors. The digital records make it possible for doctors to serve patients in a better way since they do not have to wait for long for their records to be searched. Digital records can be expanded instantly within an office and hence provide more safe storage locations of files that were traditionally guarded by locks. Patients also benefit from computerized medical records in that their records can be accessed easily in emergency cases. Patients with serious, chronic or progressive illnesses can have their records updated quickly. With computerized medical records, there is no need to worry about loosing records through natural disasters and accidents (Stead, W., & Hammond, 2009).A patient is also in a position of choosing people who can get access to their medical information and for what purposes.

There are various disadvantages of using computerized medical records in healthcare facilities. Computerized medical record system requires training, investment and preparations before they are implemented and used in a healthcare facility. The start up costs of using computerized medical records is huge. One is required to buy equipment and also convert the paper charts to electronic formats. Training of computerized medical records involves the use of additional expenses when it comes to paying for the training sessions. Maintaining computerized medical record systems is costly since software has to regularly upgraded and hardware replaced Shrader, 2004). This might take a lot of time and hence cause a lot of inconvenience. With computerized medical records, it is easy for hackers to get access to patients’ information. Incase the computerized medical record system is not well implemented; there can be delays due to unreliable records.

References

Shrader, J. (2004). Computerized medical records. Academic Medicine, 928-9.

Stead, W., & Hammond, W. (2009). Computerized medical records. Journal of Medical Systems, 213-220.