I cannot speak to the specific reliability of a particular electronic medical record (EMR) system, but in general they appear to be reliable. That is not to say that they are without problems and each implementation can have its own issues. Implementing EMR is not a simple turn key process where one size fits all. To be succesful, all stakeholders (everyone impacted by the process) must be brought together to determine how to get the most out of it. Conversion to an EMR is more than simply trying to convert everything you do on paper. Doing so not only results in unnecessary workload for staff and delays for patients, but fails to make the best use out of the system. One must also keep in mind that while an EMR can reduce or eliminate some types of errors (e.g., transcription), it can also create new ones that did not exist before (e.g., selection of the wrong product due to system defaults and look-alike/sound-alike products). That said, EMRs, when properly implemented (with adequate staff training) are not only reliable, but also can improve productivity and safety, and provide patient medical and medication history and laboratory and progress notes to all who need it whenever its needed. Additional work needs to be done to provide secure access of this information between inpatient and outpatient pharmacies and hospitals and the patient's private physicians. I believe that this has the potential to greatly reduce medication errors, and improve patient care and outcomes.

yes.

I cannot speak to the specific reliability of a particular electronic medical record (EMR) system, but in general they appear to be reliable. That is not to say that they are without problems and each implementation can have its own issues. Implementing EMR is not a simple turn key process where one size fits all. To be succesful, all stakeholders (everyone impacted by the process) must be brought together to determine how to get the most out of it. Conversion to an EMR is more than simply trying to convert everything you do on paper. Doing so not only results in unnecessary workload for staff and delays for patients, but fails to make the best use out of the system. One must also keep in mind that while an EMR can reduce or eliminate some types of errors (e.g., transcription), it can also create new ones that did not exist before (e.g., selection of the wrong product due to system defaults and look-alike/sound-alike products). That said, EMRs, when properly implemented (with adequate staff training) are not only reliable, but also can improve productivity and safety, and provide patient medical and medication history and laboratory and progress notes to all who need it whenever its needed. Additional work needs to be done to provide secure access of this information between inpatient and outpatient pharmacies and hospitals and the patient's private physicians. I believe that this has the potential to greatly reduce medication errors, and improve patient care and outcomes.

Reliable if maintained in a safe way