EMR Implementation & HITECH Act Blog

EMR Software Can Benefit Health Care Professionals in Geriatric Medicine

Health care professionals in geriatric medicine know that patients can require a significant amount of medical care at a variety of facilities.  The challenge is in updating medical records, unless of course the patient’s records are maintained with electronic medical record (EMR) software.  Considering the volume of care provided to geriatric patients as well as the number of physicians who require access to their records, EMR software can provide a real benefit.  With it, general practitioners and other primary caregivers are able to more effectively manage the flow of the patient’s received care.

But the question you really want to know is:  How can EMR software enable caregivers in geriatrics to more effectively practice quality health care? 

You’re probably familiar with the practicing mantra of the four “I’s” (intellectual impairment, immobility, instability, and incontinence) in geriatric medicine.  Now a one-page proclamation published in the Annals of Long Term Care titled 10 Ethical Principles in Geriatrics and Long-Term Care lays out the guidelines for treating these patients specifically.  Considering these recommendations in light of the frequent maintenance of patient records, adopting an EMR system can clearly benefit patient care.

As this article points out, one of the core ideas in dealing with patients receiving geriatric care is the ethics of the patient-caregiver relationship.  This involves doing what is right and medically helpful for the patient, which also means avoiding harm and being truthful in bedside manner.  Using EMR software, patient records are up-to-date not only with the latest results at the time of care, but also with any physician notes or patient concerns that have been previously recorded.  Having this full view of patient status enables a caregiver to be informed and supplies the necessary tools to deliver a consistent, accurate, and honest opinion.

Another important principle is confidentiality and the recognition that the patient-caregiver relationship is an alliance toward the health of the patient for the long term.   The geriatric caregiver must be committed to being objective in decision-making while respecting the patient’s autonomy in the care they choose to receive.  Health care professionals can educate patients about the peace of mind they can have in the security of their records within an EMR system.  Furthermore, EMR software can be networked to patient accessible EHRs, allowing for a fully disclosed conversation.  Patients will be educated about their own history and the recommendations for the best care.

Finally, accessing records with EMR software is beneficial during conversations related to the limitations of the current resources.  Geriatrics as a whole can be costly because of the prevention and management of health care issues that arise in the aged.  Obtaining informed consent means educating the patient about therapeutic options in light of limited resources.  This enables the patient to make the best decision for their own care by giving them the full picture rather than providing only a subset of what’s actually been recorded in their file.

Estimates by the Census Bureau indicate that almost 39 million Americans are 65 years and older, but by 2030, this demographic is projected to swell to over 70 million.  Though the aging of the Baby Boomer generation doesn’t always make page one media headlines, the reality for health care professionals in geriatrics is that the number of patients will effectively double in only a 20-year window.  Implementing EMR software in anticipation of this huge influx will help ensure the ability to adhere to the caregiving principles mentioned above.  Your medical practice can grow and keep pace with the needs of this important patient demographic.

David Hill
PC Healthstop Blogging Team

Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/batterypower/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

Posted by PC Healthstop Blogging Team