Medical Malpractice

Computers are a necessity today. They not only simplify our lives but also help make our work easier and save us unnecessary wastage of time. The medical industry is now realizing the importance of technology and is focusing on doing away with cumbersome files, loads of paper, and hand written records. The shift is now towards using computers to keep a track of medical records.

In a normal scenario when an individual approaches his doctor with some ailment the doctor seeks a whole lot of information from the patient about his medical history, previous medical conditions, radiological images if any, laboratory results and other such details. The doctor uses this information as well as details of some tests he may order to diagnose your problem and provide a course of treatment. Things are different today. What the doctor now does is put all the information you provide in a digital format. This digital format is also known as an electronic health record. In the case of bariatric patients these records are known as bariatric EHR (Electronic health records)

Be it a regular EHR or a bariatric EHR, these systems have some advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of having an Electronic health record are:

1. Effective documentation: Doctors are known to have illegible handwriting and this can very often lead to information being misunderstood by some other health care provider. If you go in for ehr this problem will disappear.

2. Cost effective: The use of EHR will lower costs in the long run and help you save resources. Information is easily available and the patient's sick period is reduced as information is easily available at the click of a button.

3. Storage: Files and paper documents take a lot of space and a backup needs to be created to take care of calamities such as fire. On the other hand a lot of information when stored in a digital format can take up very little space and creating a back-up is not too difficult as well.

4. Insurance companies usually reduce the malpractice premium for hospitals that use an EHR system. This is because they have access to documentation that is legible and accurate as compared to notes that are scribbled by your doctor. In case there is litigation it becomes easier to follow an information trail in the case of institutions that use an EHR system.

5. The care that is provided to a patient is also improved as the health care provider can easily access the patient's medical information.