About EHR Medical Records Specialists
Med Workshops offers training for a career in EHR Medical Records and Billing. This new specialist position involves the subjects we have taught for years.
About (EHR) Medical Records
Since beginning online training at Med Workshops in 1996 there has been a never ending demand for competent medical coders, medical billers and medical transcriptionists. In 2011, these three specialties began to adapt to ever-increasing advances in technology. The changes are due to computerized patient record keeping, otherwise known as Electronic Health Records (EHR).
The Electronic Health Record (EHR) is best described by quoting Wikipedia. It should also be understood that the EHR record is initially started by the physician who sees the patient. The physician may be required to roughly type the report or enter by using Voice Recognition software (VR):
"An electronic health record (EHR) (also electronic patient record (EPR) or (computerized patient record) is an evolving concept defined as a systematic collection of electronic health information about individual patients or populations. It is a record in digital format that is capable of being shared across different health care settings, by being embedded in network-connected enterprise-wide information systems. Such records may include a whole range of data in comprehensive or summary form, including demographics, medical history, medication and allergies, immunization status, laboratory test results, radiology images, vital signs, personal stats like age and weight, and billing information. Its purpose can be understood as a complete record of patient encounters that allows the automation and streamlining of the workflow in health care settings and increases safety through evidence-based decision support, quality management, and outcomes reporting."
This concept was originally conceived in the early 1990s by the American Association of Medical Transcription (AAMT). It was originally called computerized patient record or CPR. Healthcare facilities would be able to access this electronic record from any location by being a member of the network system. The goal was to create more accurate records and better patient care.
Advances in database storage technology and the advent of Voice Recognition (VR) have advanced the concept to new levels. Productivity is increased, record keeping costs per patient have been reduced, accuracy of records has improved and more. Changes are continuing. The physician creates the original report by briefly typing it or by using Voice Recognition software (VR). Note: VR is not popular or very accurate at this time. After initial creation by the physician, the record is reviewed by an editing or proofreading specialist before entering the permanent record. At this time, and in the foreseeable future, there are too many accuracy errors in the EHR records unless they are edited or proofread by specialists who know Medical Transcription and Medical Coding. Billing cannot proceed without this proofreading. At times, transcriptionists and coders are doing the required proofreading separately; this is not efficient.
Will medical coding, billing and transcription continue as EHR expands? The answer is “Yes, but with altered tasks for Medical Coders and some Medical Transcriptionists”. The reason is accuracy! Physicians are usually too busy to be as perfectly accurate. The patient report must be "perfect" prior to use in Billing, Pharmacy and Patient Care. Knowing about this issue is important for every potential student. Let us explain where we are in late 2011 after the passage of national healthcare legislation and new U.S. Medicare regulations concerning EHR.
Some healthcare facilities are being required by the U.S. government to change to EHR. Physicians and healthcare staff are employees who are making a change to EHR. There is no doubt that physicians don’t like the new electronic systems. This dislike is simple to verify. Physicians using EHR say, “I didn’t attend school to be a typist! Plus, I see two or three fewer patients per day.” Or they say, "I can’t take the “trained” VR software with me if I move to another location and I see two or three fewer patients per day. Also, VR is too slow!”
EHR is capable of producing an excellent record, however it is just getting started at this time because of time spent by physicians doing record keeping rather than seeing patients. Voice Recognition is especially troubled by problems. However, we are evolving toward a computerized patient record because of the long-term benefits of a single record for each patient.
Within this dynamic, the AHDI states: “transcription has increased faster than we can educate transcriptionists! We are 35,000 transcriptionists short” and “Current statistics suggest that the US medical transcription industry’s workload is increasing by 20% annually and that manpower is decreasing by 10% annually, making the question of who will do the work a difficult question to answer”.
We will also have new national healthcare legislation go into effect (Obama Care). This will add 15 to 30 million new patients to the physician’s workload. Physician time spent will increase greatly as new patients are added by Obama Care. Also of note, the Baby Boom Generation is just now reaching health care age. It is obvious the industry is going through a large change. Using EHR and VR creates a personalized electronic record while generating workload and accuracy problems.
Advancements and opportunities in this area:
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The number of physicians will remain the same while the number of patients increases by several million. The existing number of physicians will need Records Specialists to manage all record editing and proofreading.
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Medical Transcription is growing at a rapid rate and EHR and VR causes the doctors to see fewer patients. More demand in medical settings will require a much larger Medical Transcription and Medical Records staff.
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EHR accuracy demands a combination of traditional Medical Transcription with Medical Coding prior to sending the patient record to the Billing department. EHR will eventually create wonderful technical advancement however all reports must be edited.
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The computer generated record is not accurate enough and can’t be processed without human editing and proofreading. Proofreading by a specialist educated in Anatomy, Physiology, Terminology (Transcription) and Medical Coding.
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We have seen transcriptionists being asked to be knowledgeable in coding while the coder is asked to be as knowledgeable in Anatomy, Physiology and Terminology as the transcriptionist. Both jobs are being combined into one specialist position within the Billing department.
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Asking today’s medical biller to proofread these new computerized documents is asking for too much; the medical biller is not trained to do this task. The patient’s computer generated record must be proofread by a specialist to make sure it is accurate before being submitted for storage, billing and prescriptions.
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Medical record professionals are watching a new career grow quickly. The electronic record will be approved by a human "editor" or "proofreader" who knows transcription and coding. The newly created position is called the EHR Medical Records Specialist.
Students looking to enter medical coding, billing and transcription are thinking about these changes because it affects their education choice. There must be proofreading by the Medical Records Specialist or there will be too many computer errors; errors in patient care, pharmacology problems and errors in billing amounts. Obviously, there would be many lawsuits if the record is not absolutely correct prior to use. This new professional is in great demand.
Med Workshops is now offering a training program for the growing career in EHR Medical Records and Billing. The new specialist position involves the subjects we have taught for years. We offer the best curriculum for this rapidly growing specialist position. Simply, it is a blend of Medical Transcription and Medical Coding. At this time, Med Workshops is one of the few schools offering training for the Medical Records and Billing Specialist.
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NOTE: Due to growing industry demand, Medical Transcription continues as we have always offered it, including internship with a mentor. We will no longer be offering Medical Coding as portions of it will be included in the EHR Medical Records Specialist training. |
Certification Information: At this time, certification is not required for employment. Take your First Step. Ask for Free Information or call our Admissions Department. We are a school not a Diploma Mill; we will not have salespeople call you.
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