Electronic medical records in the glaucoma practice

Abstract

Electronic health record (EHR) systems are an expanding technology with the potential to boost the efficiency of medical offices while improving patient safety and enhancing communication among healthcare providers. Although only an estimated 20% of US medical offices currently use EHRs, 1 this number is sure to grow substantially in the years to come. A survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), published in 2008, looked at 135 ophthalmology practices. Of these, 86% had paper charts in files, and only 12% had EHRs. Fifty-three percent, however, were poised to adopt some form of EHRs within the next 24 months.2 This chapter offers advice on selecting and implementing an EHR system as well as the legal aspects that should be considered as we come into this new era of electronic medical records. Support for EHRs stretches beyond the immediate medical community. In 2004, President Bush set a goal requiring all medical offices to have some form of operative EHRs by 2014.3 President Obama's administration is fully committed to this concept as well. © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.