- 28
- January
2011
For years, experts boasted about the endless benefits to using online medical record databases. Safer and more efficient health care as well as the elimination of medical errors are just a few reasons behind the support. However, some argue electronic medical records are far from foolproof and simply change the way medical errors are made.
Today, medical record systems are now used in slightly more than half of office-based practices. The systems notify the user about specific drugs the patient is allergic to and inform of potential drug interactions; essentially taking the guesswork out of knowing what drugs will negatively impact the patient if mixed with drugs the patient currently takes.
Even with the benefits that electronic medical records provide, skeptics say plenty of room for error still exists.
Risks of Incorrect Entries
One doctor recently told U.S. News and Health that he accidentally prescribed the wrong prescription for a patient when he clicked on the wrong link within patient's online file. Despite the positive rhetoric about electronic medical record systems, he claims, medical records are still vulnerable to incorrect entries, which can result in serious medical problems for patients.
Luckily, the doctor caught the error before the patient left the office and was able to write a handwritten prescription instead.
Responding to Abnormal Test Results
Recently, researchers at the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care identified several common sources of medical errors occurring in family practices.
In particular, the study - based in part from data published in the Archives of Internal Medicine - revealed that many doctors were failing to inform their patients about abnormal test results; approximately one in 14 patients to be exact. And astonishingly, the occurrence happened more frequently in healthcare practices where doctors utilized electronic medical records.
Other Risks
Opponents also argue that computer glitches and the dangers associated with individuals illegally accessing a patient's health information are also potential risks connected with the use of online medical records.
Institute of Medicine's Takes Action
The Institute of Medicine seems to agree. The Institute recently formed a Committee on Patient Safety and Health Information Technology to investigate further. The Committee is responsible for reviewing the evidence and offering recommendations to doctors and patients on how to prevent or mitigate errors associated with using online medical record databases.
