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Electronic medical records open up potent opportunities to better record, access, understand, distribute, and learn from health information.
Simply put, EMRs enable physicians to shift from reactive care to proactive care by arming them with clear, comprehensive, timely health information that informs decisions.
That’s a powerful prospect.
It means physicians can easily find out whether a critical lab draw or imaging service happened. Or whether a prescription wasn’t filled or refilled as ordered. Or whether a sick patient missed a follow-up visit.
Caught early, those kinds of discoveries translate to less clinical sleuthing for physicians, more efficient health care services, and better care for patients.
Making a smooth transition
Underlying all the practical benefits of EMRs are the federal regulations, incentives, and penalties intended to drive widespread adoption—a goal not without challenges.
Physicians and hospitals will be assessing their EMR needs, researching systems, and ultimately implementing an EMR. Operational and clinical workflows will be changed to support the use of the new technology.
Health plans, hospitals, and regional extension centers will provide guidance, resources, and support to physicians as they navigate the EMR landscape.
Information and technology
At OptumInsight, we understand the challenges and work hard to deliver the potential. Everything we do centers on how to draw the most insight and value from health information—easily and efficiently. Achieve that, and we all start realizing the promises of EMR.
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