Introduction
Health informatics is also known as health information systems. Health informatics brings together science, information, and health care to meet one purpose. Health informatics uses resources found in technology to access, store, and use medical information. Computers play a big part in health informatics. In many medical settings today, gone are the days of endless paperwork and manual filing. This is especially true when speaking of medical records.
Electronic medical records are growing in popularity. There are many benefits to using electronic medical records. The benefits are not only for the medical personnel but for the patients as well. The use of technology within the medical field is on the rise. Computers and medical software assist in the day to day operations of the medical office.
The Push for Electronic Medical Records
One of the main benefits of electronic medical records as opposed to traditional pen and paper records involves the money that is saved. In fact, money is such a major factor that the government is getting involved. “The 2009 stimulus bill supplied funding for doctors and hospitals to upgrade their record-keeping systems and President Obama has expressed that he would like every American to have an electronic medical record by 2014” (Edmonds, 2010). With the use of electronic medical records, billions of dollars could be saved since this tool would assist in providing better care to patients.
What Are Electronic Medical Records?
Electronic medical records are computerized versions of paper documents as they pertain to patients. They can include test results from lab work, notes from previous doctor visits, diagnostic results, medical insurance information, patient medical health histories, and information on medicines the patient has previously taken or is currently taking (Craig, 2011). Information found in the electronic medical records assist physicians and medical personnel before, during, and...