Do Electronic Medical Records Improve Quality of Care?

Medical records are an essential part of healthcare and social care. They provide important information about a patient’s medical history, treatments and outcomes, and they influence the type of care provided by care homes or nursing homes. Care professionals typically need access to medical records to ensure they are providing the best possible care for their clients and in this digital day and age, many are converting paper records to electronic records. Electronic medical records (EMRs) and electronic health records (EHRs) are transforming the way care providers store and access patient health information. Having electronic solutions allows care providers to conveniently review a patient’s medical history and track their progress, and they can help to ensure all necessary medication and treatments are being administered. Removing paper charts and records is something that all care providers should consider doing, and there are several ways electronic medical records can improve quality of care. 

Below we have explored the benefits of updating your paper-based solutions in more detail. 

Do Electronic Medical Records Improve Quality of Care?

In short, electronic medical records can have a direct impact on quality of care. Electronic systems have been shown to improve quality of care in care homes and nursing homes, and they provide a secure way to store, manage and share client data. Having electronic medical and health records enables care teams to access up-to-date information quickly and efficiently. 

When you have all of your clients’ medical information on a care management system, you can better coordinate patient care, resulting in improved client outcomes and enhanced client satisfaction. Electronic medical records can increase accuracy and reduce errors in administering medications too, improving patient safety. For many care homes and nursing homes, EMRs and EHRs are invaluable resources when delivering care services. 

What are the Benefits of Electronic Medical Records?

Some of the key benefits associated with converting paper records into electronic records include the following; 

Easy Access to Client History 

Electronic records enable you to keep all of your client’s medical information in one place and this provides care teams with quick access to crucial medical history and treatments. Care professionals will have all of the information they need at the touch of a button to make informed decisions about client care and provide better health outcomes. 

Improved Accuracy of Records

Using electronic systems eliminates things like handwriting errors and communication gaps. This improves the accuracy of client information and ensures that all care providers have access to the same, up-to-date information. When records are updated correctly and regularly, this can help to prevent medication errors and make administering medication safer. 

Provide Efficient Care

By reducing paperwork and preventing time-consuming administrative tasks, electronic records enable care providers to focus more on patient care. Care home and nursing home teams can dedicate more of their time and attention to clients, ensuring they are meeting all care needs. 

Long-term Cost Savings

Although there may be up-front costs associated with introducing electronic management systems, they can help to reduce operational costs in the long run. In addition, having electronic medical records can help to reduce costs associated with lost records moving forward. 

What Software is Available for Medical Record Management?

Here at Care Control, we offer several systems to care homes and nursing homes that can modernise office processes and digitise paperwork. These electronic systems are designed to address the diverse challenges faced within the care sector and they are fully compliant with CQC standards. Our systems enable you to access valuable information in an instant. 

We have several popular solutions, such as our care planning software and medication management software, and we can help you to implement an electronic solution that supports your care team to provide the highest standard of care to your clients. We are very proud to now be an accredited supplier of NHSX Digital Social Care Records too. The Dynamic Purchasing System is making the switch to digital care much easier. By introducing electronic social care records, real-time information can be shared across social care and NHS organisations, improving quality of care throughout the whole industry. 

Using Electronic Medical Records in the Care Industry 

If you would like to find out more about how electronic medical records can benefit your care home or nursing home and the digital systems available, don’t hesitate to contact us at Care Control. Since 2010 when our software was first created, we have been supporting businesses in the social care sector to bring their processes and files into the digital age. You can contact our expert team in confidence knowing we understand the challenges faced by care organisations and we are committed to helping you improve your quality of care. To find out more about how our digital care management software can help your organisation, please contact us today via this online form on our website to book a demo to experience how our solution could be incorporated into your care setting or call us on 01822 738100.