ABSTRACT
The electronic medical record advantages include a single consolidated file for each person; capacity for data interfaces and alerts; improved interdisciplinary communication; and evidence-based decision support. Ethical issues related to electronic health records (EHRs) occur when a patient’s health data is shared or linked without the patients’ knowledge; autonomy is jeopardized. Computerized provider order entry (CPOE), implemented along with EHRs, is another feature that has the potential to improve clinician workflow, efficiency, and patient safety. EMRs can add to work complexity by forcing better documentation of previously unrecorded data and because of poor design. Well-designed and well-implemented CPOE systems can streamline nurses’ work. The most important thing is that all of the parts of the laboratory, from the history and physical to radiology reports, can integrate with each other.
