Question

Health records are key to treating patients as well as managing overall operations and population health. In this topic, we are going to discuss various clinical and administrative documents contained in the health record. What is the difference between a paper record, an electronic record and a hybrid record? Name one pro and one con if you can of each record type.

Answer 1

Difference between paper and electronic record

1. Personnel

Paper record need additional personnel to handle and support paper files and to organize countless documents

Electronic record require less personnel

2. Storage space

Paper record will occupy the warehouse and ar less environmentally friendly

Electronic record can be stored in the cloud allowing the use of fewer resources

3. Access time

Physicians will ask to send the record. Paper record should be faxed, scanned or mailed which is time consuming process

But medical professionals can have access to the data instantly when the need

4. Safety

Paper record will tend to deteriorate over time. There is a possibility for losing the documents from a staff members are from natural disasters.

Electronic record can be used safely with proper storage

5. Legibility

Every one has different hand writing. Illegible hand writing record will leads to even wrong treatment

No hand writing problem in electronic record

Paper record:

Pro

Simplicity- Not everyone is tech-savvy. Paper record require less skill to write and maintain.

Con

Require more personnel, time and space

Electronic record:

Pro

It saves personnel, time and space

Con

We have to be careful in protecting the data from unauthorized access. There is a danger of Ransomware.

Hybrid record:

Pro

There is a multiple outlets for acquiring and storing the record. If one system fails we can carry on working by another.

Con

Require more personnel, time and space.