Electronic Medical Records

It has been almost a year since our office transitioned to electronic medical records (EMR) and I thought I would take a minute to reflect on the good versus the bad.

So, let's start with the good.
1. The best part is by far and away the electronic prescribing of medications.  Fast, paperless, and no need for the pharmacy to have to try and read my handwriting any more!  Best of all your prescription is ready and waiting by the time you get to the pharmacy!
2. Visit summaries are now available online.  When you want to review the visit or can't remember what shot was given you can view it online any time of day. What's not to like about that?
3. We have access to your child's chart at home.  So we are able to check incoming labs and if a question comes up at night we can check your child's chart.

Now the bad.
1. It is time consuming.  I now spend an extra 1-2 hours a day working.  Even though I am now more efficient I still will never be as fast as I was with paper.
2. It slows us down in the office.  Once your child is weighed and measured I still have to wait until the information is entered in the computer and then I review the chart before I go into see your child.  All slower than paper.
3. It is harder to make eye contact.  I try hard not to be glued to my computer screen but sometimes it happens as I am trying to be fast and efficient.

That sums it up for now.  It will be fun to see what new things are coming up!