The document discusses electronic medical record (EMR) systems. It begins by explaining how the healthcare sector has evolved from relying on physical files to using EMR systems. It then defines EMR systems as electronic health records created and managed by healthcare organizations. The key benefits of EMR systems include improved patient safety, care quality, and access to information. However, barriers like costs have limited widespread adoption. Current research focuses on improving interoperability between different EMR systems. Overall, EMR systems play important roles in healthcare by facilitating information sharing, collaboration and patient care.

1. How to handle Medical databases and electronic medical
records
Dr Shazia Iqbal
Assistant Professor Obstetric and Gynecology
Vision College of Medicine in Riyadh

2. Introduction
• The healthcare sector has evolved significantly in the last two decades.
• In the past, hospitals relied on physical files and books to store records.
• These traditional data storage methods were quite ineffective. For instance, a hospital could easily
lose critical information due to incidents such as fire and careless.
• Furthermore, traditional data storage methods limited activities such as teamwork and
collaboration.
• It was quite difficult for a healthcare organization to share data with other subsidiaries.
• The adoption of computers and other devices helped to eliminate these challenges, as well as
boost overall efficiency.

3. Electronic Medical Record Systems
• According to AHRQ, EMR systems refers to
electronic health-related data of people which
can be created, modified, managed, and shared
with other staff in a particular organization.
• EMR systems allow heath care institutions to
access numerous benefits.
• EMR systems can boost patient safety, as well as
enhance the quality of patient care.
• However, the adoption of EMR systems in the U.S.
remains low.

4. Key Components of EMRS
The major components of EMR systems include:

5. How EMRs work
• The figure below shows
how an EMR system
works. Data is collected
from the patient, saved
on a database, and
then shared with other
healthcare providers.
Image from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPb4Ih4KmLs

6. Roles of EMRs
• EMR systems allow healthcare practitioners to access critical information relating
to medications, lab results, allergies, and diagnoses.
• In a multi-care environment, EMR systems enable physicians to access new and
past records.
• EMR systems allow patients to access different health resources, records, and
disease management tools.
• EMRs facilitate computerized administration processes.
• EMRs also support highly secure e-communication between providers and
patients.

7. Systems that support EMRs
• Supplies management system – Used for managing inventory in the healthcare
environment.
• Human resources systems – assists in the management of health workers.
• Patient management system – Used to collect and manage patients’ records.
• Clinical support system – used to track activities such as lab tests and imaging
examination.
• Clinical information system – Management of procedures, assessments,
diagnoses, and findings.

8. Example of EMRs
The following video shows an example of EMRs. It is been used to access the patient’s diagnoses, lab results,
Source https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d00BG8vJ714&list=PLeYg35NShiaKOxzzs0CdcUABY-wb7KvE6

9. Medical Databases
• Databases are an important tool when it comes to data management.
• Medical databases allow healthcare practitioners to store data in a structured manner.
• Databases also facilitate quick retrieval of information. Furthermore, this information can easily
be formatted using different analytical tools.
• Databases are more safe when compared to traditional data storage methods. This is because
databases can be stored in online servers. In case of fires and disasters, the hospital will still
manage to access its data.
• Information collected by EMR systems is stored in databases.
• However, its important to set security rules on the database to avoid conflicts.

10. Barriers to adoption of EMRS
EMRs have not been adopted widely due to the following barriers.
 High invest or capital cost.
 Low return on investment for safety providers and small practices.
 High concerns that EMRs could become obsolete quickly.
 Inadequate skilled personnel to facilitate its implementation.
 Failure to redesign the clinical environment to accommodate new technologies.
 Poor satisfaction in rural areas.

11. Areas of Current Investigation
• In the past, EMR developers focused on systems that met proprietary database standards which
made it difficult to share information.
• Recently, the demand for interoperability has increased significantly.
• Several standards for communication and data coding have been created to promote
consistency.
• Interoperability will enable more healthcare institutions to adopt EMRs.
• Currently, the federal government has issued subsidies to encourage the adoption of EMRs.
Other states have also created funding programs and mandates to achieve this objective.
• In summary, the current investigation is aimed at making EMRs compatible with other systems
and thus, encourage their adoption.

12. EHR Usability and Safety - Video 1
• The following video explains the safety and usability of EHR systems. Most healthcare providers
are adopting EHRs which poses new challenges.
Source https://youtu.be/SlQ60KaLeHg

13. EHR and EMR - Video 2
• The following video explains the key differences between EHR and EMR systems. These terms are usu
ally used interchangeable. However, there are key differences.
Source https://y
outu.be/bboJpj
wGifs

14. Current status of EMRS
• The adoption of EMRs is
increasing across the
world.
• In the U.S., more than
85% of office-based
physicians use EMR
systems (CDC, 2021).
• EMRs’ adoption is
consistent across
different states.
(CDC, 2020)

15. Strategies to overcome barriers to EMRS
Some of the strategies to overcome barriers to EMRs include:
 Training programs – These programs have helped heath care practitioners to acquire new
skills and knowledge on dealing with EMRs.
 Funding programs – The government and state agencies have invested more in IT
technologies to encourage their adoption.
 Increased collaboration – More healthcare firms are been consulted and involved in the
development process. This increases overall efficiency.

16. Challenges of sharing health information
• Sharing health information has numerous benefits. For instance, it encourages collaboration
between different healthcare providers.
• However, sharing health information poses new challenges and risks.
• For instance, it can cause sensitive records to leak which could lead to irreparable damage
(Chami et al., 2021).
• Secondly, some healthcare providers may misuse or sell private information thus, exposing the
institution to liability.
• Thirdly, patients may lose trust in a healthcare provider if they find out that their information is
been sent to other institutions.
• It is challenging for healthcare providers to abide by the new data protection and privacy acts.

17. EMRs Resource - Article1
Haque, R., Sarwar, H., Kabir, S.R., Forhat, R., Sadeq, M.J., Akhtaruzzaman, M. and Haque, N., 2020. Blockchain-Based
Information Security of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in a Healthcare Communication System. In Intelligent
Computing and Innovation on Data Science (pp. 641-650). Springer, Singapore.
• Hague et al. (2020) conducted a research on the role of blockchain technology in EMR systems.
• Blockchain uses a unique encryption method that enhances data safety.
• Hague et al. (2020) found that blockchain technology was capable of promoting data integrity. It
allows service providers to maintain accurate and consistent data with zero losses.
• Furthermore, blockchain technology introduces secure features such as authentication and access
control which enhance data confidentiality.
• It is, therefore, important for healthcare providers to invest in this new area to boost reliability and
interoperability.

18. EMR Resource – Article 2
Gamage, T.A., Dabarera, W.N.S., Nethmini, K.K.H., Uwanthika, G.A.I., Kalansooriya, L.P. and Wijay,
B., 2020. A Systematic Review and Comparative Study of Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
Systems to Support Healthcare.
• Gamage et al. (2020) studied the importance of EMR systems in healthcare
organizations.
• These scholars observed that the adoption of EMRs was growing quickly.
• Gamage et al. (2020) found that EMRs promoted patient safety through
computerization of healthcare records.
• EMRs systems have also helped bridge the knowledge gap in medical
organizations.
• It is quite easy for healthcare practitioners to share information.

19. EMR Resource – Article 3
Lin, H.L., Wu, D.C., Cheng, S.M., Chen, C.J., Wang, M.C. and Cheng, C.A., 2020. Association between Electronic Medical
Records and Healthcare Quality. Medicine, 99(31).
• Lin et al. (2020) also investigated the relationship between healthcare quality and EMRs.
• They assessed the patient outcomes and EMRs adoption. A total of 262,569 patients were
included in this study.
• Lin et al. (2020) observed that full implementation of EMRs could help lower inpatient mortality
and readmission rates.
• These results indicate that EMRs indeed lead to better patient outcomes.

20. EMR Resource – Article 4
Paré, G., Marsan, J., Jaana, M., Tamim, H. and Lukyanenko, R., 2020. IT vendors’ legitimation strategies and market
share: The case of EMR systems. Information & Management, 57(5), p.103291.
• Pare et al. (2020) are concerned with the factors that influence the adoption of new technologies
in the healthcare sector.
• These scholars note that IT innovation is a key factor in organizational competitiveness and
productivity.
• According to Pare et al. (2020),, medical institutions are likely to adopt new technologies when
there is consensus. This means that they should be involved in the design and development
process.
• Collaboration between these stakeholders helps in building trust and healthy relationships.
• Furthermore, consulting healthcare firms also minimizes confusion and errors.

21. Conclusion
• From the above analysis, it is clear that EMR systems play vital roles in healthcare organizations.
• EMRs promote patient and data safety.
• These systems also facilitate greater collaboration and teamwork.
• Furthermore, EMRs allow healthcare practitioners to track the patient’s diagnoses and previous
treatment. This information can help in the determination of the appropriate treatment method.

22. References
• Paré, G., Marsan, J., Jaana, M., Tamim, H. and Lukyanenko, R., 2020. IT vendors’ legitimation strategies and market
share: The case of EMR systems. Information & Management, 57(5), p.103291.
• Lin, H.L., Wu, D.C., Cheng, S.M., Chen, C.J., Wang, M.C. and Cheng, C.A., 2020. Association between Electronic Medical
Records and Healthcare Quality. Medicine, 99(31).
• Gamage, T.A., Dabarera, W.N.S., Nethmini, K.K.H., Uwanthika, G.A.I., Kalansooriya, L.P. and Wijay, B., 2020. A Systematic
Review and Comparative Study of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Systems to Support Healthcare.
• Haque, R., Sarwar, H., Kabir, S.R., Forhat, R., Sadeq, M.J., Akhtaruzzaman, M. and Haque, N., 2020. Blockchain-Based
Information Security of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in a Healthcare Communication System. In Intelligent
Computing and Innovation on Data Science (pp. 641-650). Springer, Singapore.
• CDC, 2020. EMRs Usage. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/electronic-medical-records.htm
• AHRQ, 2020. EMRs. https://digital.ahrq.gov/key-topics/electronic-medical-record-systems
• Chami, N., Mathew, S., Weir, S., Wright, J.G. and Kantarevic, J., 2021. Adoption of a laboratory EMR system and
inappropriate laboratory testing in Ontario: a cross-sectional observational study. BMC health services research, 21(1),
pp.1-10.

23. Thank You