Electronic Health Records' Benefits for Addiction Treatment

Connors, William R., Addiction Professional

The popularity of electronic health records (EHRs) has reached a pinnacle. EHRs are a topic of national debate, presidential candidates' platforms, and editorials in major newspapers. Trade show agendas, once dedicated solely to clinical, advocacy, and leadership topics, are seeking to educate addiction treatment providers on the need for, and challenges and benefits of, the EHR. Yet the topic of technology to many in the helping professions is daunting enough without the added complexity of many of the latest topics, such as regional health information organizations (RHIOs), interoperability, and national data standards. Many addiction treatment providers are seriously wondering what the simple rewards for this major capital purchase are.

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The successful implementation of an EHR allows a provider to operate on a new plateau. New-found efficiency includes reduction of documentation time, immediate access to patient data, improved cash flow, streamlined clinical work flow, increased reimbursement, and detailed real-time aggregate reporting. Inpatient facilities experience automated medication ordering and administration that drastically improve safety processes. Believe it or not, despite all the techno-garble, EHRs truly enhance quality of care and ultimately reduce the cost …

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Publication information: Article title: Electronic Health Records' Benefits for Addiction Treatment. Contributors: Connors, William R. - Author. Magazine title: Addiction Professional. Volume: 6. Issue: 1 Publication date: January-February 2008. Page number: 42+. © 2008 Vendome Group LLC. COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale Group.

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