EMR Software and Green Practices
The world has become aware of what “green” means and more companies are focused on being green. This includes medical practices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities where costs are skyrocketing. Not only can EMR Software, i.e. Electronic Medical Records, save healthcare establishments money, but they can also reduce paper and energy use.The following are a few of the ways using EMR software will allow a healthcare establishment to “go green.”
Reduced Use of Paper
Physical medical records are on sheets of paper placed in paper folders. With each sheet the folder grows and more paper is added with each appointment or medical emergency. This depletes natural resources and impacts the environment in other ways, too. However, when EMR software is used there is no need for paper medical records to be used. This literally saves trees from being cut and used to make more paper. All medical records are stored electronically with EMR software and can be transmitted electronically, too, reducing the need for copying, faxing, and printing. Prescriptions can even be provided electronically to pharmacies so there is no need for a hard copy of the prescription. The risk of a medical error due to the prescription being illegible also goes down significantly.
Space Needs Decrease
When paper medical records are replaced with electronic medical records the need for storage space decreases significantly. Many healthcare organizations have entire rooms dedicated to storage of medical records. However, EMR software can eliminate the need for a hard copy of medical records.
Energy Requirements Decrease
Additionally, energy requirements go down when electronic medical records are used. There is no need for copying and faxing of medical records not to mention extra space for storage is not needed. This cuts back significantly on power bills.
These are just a few of the ways that using EMR software can promote a green and environmentally conscious healthcare environment.
Many EMR software systems are expected to be replaced over the next several years thanks to Federal stimulus money targeted for the implementation of electronic medical records systems in doctor’s practices and hospitals.
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