Patient safety forms the basis of the appropriate delivery of health services. The significance of the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Software cannot be underestimated in enhancing patient safety levels. Using sophisticated features and tools, EHR Software allows providers to minimize adverse occurrences, errors, and shortcomings in the patient care process.
Impact of Medication Errors in the USA
It is important to note that medication errors persist to be an issue all over the United States. These errors occur in more than 1.5 million patients per year resulting in ADRs, increased length of stay, and overall increased healthcare costs of billions of dollars. More than 7 million patients experience adverse effects with medication errors every year. Errors of this kind must be avoided to enhance patient care and decrease costs to the healthcare sector.
Tools in EMR Software to Improve Patient Safety
Clinical Decision Support Systems
CDSS tool in the electronic medical records software gives pertaining recommendations to the doctor. Through these evidence-based guidelines healthcare providers are empowered to enhance diagnosis, accurate drug prescriptions, and medical alerts on possible interactions.
E-Prescribing Functionality
EHR Software enables the provider to write prescriptions electronically. This avoids the common complaints associated with handwritten prescriptions and aids in sending prescriptions directly to the pharmacy. The prescribing process is automated and streamlined which benefits both patients and clinicians.
Medication Reconciliation Tools
These robust tools contain details of medications used in prescription at the initial and subsequent phases of patient treatment. Medication reconciliation features in the EMR Systems help to avoid mismanagement of the patient’s drug plan and ensure end-to-end patient safety.
Alerts and Notifications
Alerts in the Electronic Health Records (EHR) Software for the providers notify them of allergies, contraindications, or any unusual test results. This enables them to take appropriate action without any delay.
The Role of EMR Software in Reducing Medication Errors
Due to the automation of medication management and the availability of patient data at the time of prescription, the risk of mistakes is greatly minimized by EHR Software. For example, the CDSS warns the providers of the existence of DDIs, and on the other hand, it is the e-prescribing that checks the dosing and the type of drug being given.
Also, an extensive record inside EMR Software means that care teams can seamlessly share patient data facilitating care coordination. Any gaps in care are addressed leading to holistic and safer patient care. Purchasing EMR Software is not only a technological investment; it is a way of striving to enhance overall health outcomes.
