The definition of a fully functional electronic medical record system includes a patient's
- complete medical records,
- medication lists,
- problems, and clinical notes from past visits.
- lab results and view X-rays,
- MRIs or other scans on the computer
For the survey, DesRoches and her colleagues surveyed 2,758 doctors nationwide about their use of electronic medical record systems. The researchers found that 4 percent reported having a fully functional system. An additional 13 percent said they had a basic system.
The survey also found that primary care doctors and doctors with large practices or those in hospitals or medical centers were more likely to have electronic medical record systems. In addition, doctors in the western region of the United States were more likely to have such systems.
Both Medicare and private insurance companies are pushing doctors to adopt electronic medical record systems as a way of monitoring quality of care, which will be a basis for reimbursement levels, DesRoches noted.
Source: Business Week
Read more about the topic at American Medical News.
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