Electronic Health Records
Community Care Physicians is pleased to announce that our entire physician office network now has an electronic health record. This means that each of our primary care and specialty physicians can reference your health records from anywhere within our system.
The following question and answer section on electronic health records is provided as an introduction on the subject. Over time, we will add more advanced information on EHRs and update this page periodically. Should you have a question about the EHR, please click on the following link and share your questions with us: Contact Us
What is an electronic health record?
Your medical record has gone from a paper chart to an electronic chart. Your physician is now able to view your entire medical history via a computer system called an electronic health record (EHR). The electronic health record is organized in a way that permits your physician or medical provider to easily see various aspects of your medical history in an organized manner. The electronic health record is sometimes referred to as an electronic medical record.
What are the benefits of the EHR for the medical practice?
The benefits of the EHR are significant. The application of a computer allows the physician to type in your information into the system or download information from other databases, such as the hospital’s laboratory system or x-ray reports. In some cases, your physician will be able to view x-rays done at our imaging centers.
Because the physician types the information into the EHR, it provides improved legibility which helps to reduce misinterpretation of clinical information such as medication and dosage information.
Other benefits of the EHR include having ease in access to all of the patient’s medical, surgical and clinical information, at the push of a button.
Communication of patient information from various other Community Care Physicians providers is another feature of our EHR. Many of our physicians can access your medical records when they are not in the office. This is especially helpful when they are covering for another physician and need to review your medical information when called by the emergency room or you.
What are the benefits of the EHR for the patient?
The major benefit of the EHR for patients is the access our Community Care physicians and non-physician providers have in understanding the various aspect of your medical care. We no longer are working in the dark because a paper report isn’t available or filed correctly in the office. The EHR gives your provider access to your files when they are out of the office.
What is the future of the EHR?
Computers and computer applications have changed the way we live. Today much of our activities are supported by computers. Medicine is no different. In the future our EHR will be able to talk with every hospital and other medical provider in the Capital District, and possibly in the world. Efforts are underway to have different computer EHR systems to share information in a secure and efficient manner. At Community Care Physicians we are always seeking ways to connect our physicians and non-physician providers in ways that improve the timely care and servicing to our patients. One way to connect with our patients via the EHR is through a patient portal known as “iHealth”. Our second article will discuss iHealth in more detail.
This is the first in a series of articles that will be developed regarding electronic medical records. Our goal is to keep you informed regarding the use and applications of our EHR program as well as to educate you in the applications of computers in healthcare. You have entrusted Community Care Physicians to be your partner in your health. This is a privilege we respect and will not compromise or take advantage of. We will work with other health systems in the area to provide the connectivity needed to assure your care is foremost in every healthcare professional’s mind.
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