INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Software for Business
Document scanner critical in
healthcare transformation
While many software solutions exist for healthcare record
management, selecting the right workload scanner is important,
explains David Whitton at Kodak Alaris.
Utilisation of electronic record
systems is becoming dominant within
healthcare industry due to range of
benefits, resulting in improved quality
of care and patient safety, not to
mention controlled costs and time
savings for healthcare providers.
Electronic Medical Records systems are
designed to keep track of a patient’s
health and medical history in an
electronic format. Although it may
appear a daunting task, storing vast
volumes of patient records in digital
formats makes information accessible
and helps healthcare workers navigate
systems safely and efficiently.
Ultimately, Electronic Medical Record
systems can improve quality of patient
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care, safety, costs, time for healthcare
providers and provide extensive storage
capabilities in today’s data-driven
era. Advantages include increased
efficiency, with ability to reduce
duplication of documents, elimination
of delays in searching for documents,
intelligence capabilities such as
medical and prescription drug alerts,
treatment reminders, and measures
for tailoring and showcasing data in
customised formats.
Transitioning any healthcare
organisation from a paper-based
environment to a digital one can be a
complicated proposition. However, if
the transition is planned and executed,
the task can be manageable and result
in benefits for the practice. Either
during the Electronic Medical Record
or Electronic Health Record selection
process or when a system has been
chosen and an implementation plan
created, document and chart conversion
needs to be addressed for the transition.
Conversion of existing documents and
information is critical, and requires
evaluation and consideration of
a document scanning solution to
integrate into the Electronic Medical
Record system or to provide stand-alone
document retention and access. Most
scanning solutions have been validated
with healthcare systems, but validation
needs to be verified prior to use.
Staff training on the conversion of
back-files and day-forward document
procedures is critical for success.
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