There are two methods in which medical documents can …show more content…
be written, which is typing the medical information into an electronic file or manual scheduling by handwriting the information in a written document. I prefer using the electronic method of writing documents. My experience with electronic scheduling processes, it is very convent to use, once learning all the mechanism to use in the software. Using Optum PM was very easy to use. When entering a patient’s information for new patients it alerts you if you are missing information. When putting in notes in a patient file for this program it gives you the options to flash notes. For example, if Patient A, the primary language is Spanish then an interpreter may be required. When typing in “interpreter needed” in the notes box on the new patients form and select flash. After saving and looking at the patient’s file, you will see the note flashing on the screen. When scheduling patients for appointments it gives you options to see every doctor in the office schedule, to see if what other doctor’s schedules look like if one doctor has an emergency maybe another doctor in the office can see the patient you have scheduled. Enter clinical notes there is also a spell checker there to check your spelling. Everything in Optum PM is at immediate access at a just a push of a button. The only a few things I do not like about Optum PM is sometimes it runs slow and that there is chance that the system might crash.
My experience with manual scheduling is very different then electronic scheduling. Manual scheduling was very unconvinced for me. I did not like manual scheduling. With manual scheduling, everything is written in ballpoint black pen. If you make a mistake, you cannot white out, you have to put a single line through your mistake and then initial it, then continue writing with correction of the mistake. The problem I have with handwritten medical records is that I have to make sure my spelling is correct, have minimum mistakes, and write clear and legible handwriting. Because other medical staff writes in the medical records documents, also I have to decipher what is written if the handwriting is not legible or ask the last person what they wrote. When rescheduling patients it tedious because you have a small space to schedule the patient in the appointment book. Lastly, when a patient needs an interpreter in the medical document notes like that has to be color coded by different color pen or highlighted.
Next, determining which method is better because both manual scheduling and electronic scheduling has it similarity and it differences.
Using Manual scheduling based on experience the amount of time it takes to write out clinical notes, and schedule appointment requires extra amount of time to ensure that everything is written legibly and detail orientated. Compared to using electronic scheduling it eliminates the time took to write neat and legible. The extra time saved using electronic scheduling can be used to do other office procedures in the office. Spelling in electronic medical records is not a problem compared written medical records that contain multiple spelling …show more content…
issues.
However, using manual scheduling there is always a chance of missing documents or documents can be “scattered in more than one location.” That information in medical records and scheduling booklets can “be damaged by hurricanes, tornados, floods, or natural disasters.” (Yazdabnmehr) Compared to electronic health records, there is a “greater standardization in terms of keeping records in difference locations.” There are also a greater “risk of patient privacy violations through computer hacking.” (Yazdabnmehr; Blesi) At least manual scheduling and record animated the changes of random non-medical working getting ahold of the private in for patient’s medical records.
The upkeep of manual records and scheduling is a lot to maintain.
Each record in the medical office much be managed in the same way and it may vary from office to office. A hand written medical record has to read accurately and spelling names correctly, print write legibly with black ink, record information as soon as possible, make corrections by drawing one line through the error, and keeping charts neat and file in a timely manner. (Blesi) Compared to an electronic medical record, the same rules apply except for writing in black instead typing in black font and corrections can just be backspaced before saving what is being
recorded.
Overall, “electronic health records provide improved management of patient records and facilitate more efficient billing for services.” (Blesi) Manual health records are still around and many offices use a hybrid method between electronic and manual, so they can have hard copies of some parts of the medical records and electronic copy of the medical records. Scheduling is more efficient and easier to track using electronic health scheduling compare to manual. Manual and Electronic scheduling requires you to know the basics of how to schedule a patient, write or include clinical notes, how to reschedule or cancel appointments. The only difference with electronic scheduling is that there is an option to insert reason why an appointment was cancel, it logs when an appointment was schedule, cancel, and rescheduled. Electronic scheduling leaves a virtual paper trail, and manual scheduling does not. However, which method that is using in the office is up to the provider.
Rather if we like it or not we are going into a technological age and upgrading to electronic records, and scheduling is what is currently happening in the medical field now. Electronic health records decrease the carbon foot paper, by using less paper and killing fewer trees. By using, less paper and reducing waste and redundant test the carbon footprint will decrease at lot. The carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gasses emission from which a person or a business are accountable. Electronic health records are said to promote “better healthcare, by improving all aspects of the patient care and better health by encouraging healthier lifestyles.” (HealthIT.gov) Depending on what software of electronic health care system that is being used it can be prompt you ask more questions to benefits the doctor to make a better diagnosis.