Over the years, the work of a medical assistant has witnessed substantial diversification extending from supporting hand to technical expertise, assisting the surgical team inclusively throughout the entire operation. The rising trend of adoption and extensive use of electronic health records (EHR) systems has opened a new realm of training opportunities for medical assistants. For being a medical assistant, you may need to complete a Medical Assistant Program. It is a comprehensive collection of patient’s health records in digital form. Most healthcare organizations are switching from traditional paper records to resourceful and secure EHR platforms.

Importantly, ERH training is a critical aspect of enhancing the quality of care for the intended patients and workflow in the surgical room. During the course of general and operational activities, medical assistants continuously associate with medical software and EHR systems. Medical assistants need to enhance their technical aptitude and become comfortable with automated systems offering better understanding and repositioning of medical information. Their competency with EHR software cultivates better patient records management and the overall increase in the clinical workings. So, let’s comprehend the meaning of EHR and its holistic training is essential for medical assistants.

What is EHR?

EHR – Electronic Health Record is a resourceful software that is used to collect, store, transfer individual patient medical records in a structured and secured manner. It is a collective set of health data in digital form, including personal information, health ailments, past clinical records, medications, test reports, immunizations, diagnoses, treatment plans, and all essential health-related details.

EHR provides a great deal of convenience in managing and transferring patients’ health information across multiple intended parties involved in clinical care, such as physicians, medical assistants, laboratories, pharmacies, nursing homes, and the government. The real-time availability and easy transferability help in making better decisions providing essential care promptly. It also assists in healthcare activities through numerous interfaces and strengthens the true relationship between doctors and patients.

Benefits of EHR Training for The Medical Assistant

Over the years, the healthcare industry has seen substantial reform. Among these, the incorporation of EHR software has been among the significant ones. It offers great assistance to healthcare institutions by facilitating electronic documentation of medical records and sensitive clinical data. Accordingly, its inclusive adoption and implementation in the healthcare system have created an immense need for medical assistants extensively trained on EHR tools.^[i]

Accredited medical assistants are highly valued and helpful professionals in the healthcare fraternity. They control the operation room and are the biggest supporting hand to the surgical team, ensuring proper patient care, managing logistics, tracking medical information, and associated documentation. Let’s look out some advantages of EHR Training For Medical assistants:

Increases Efficiency

Managing patient clinical records is essential for effective treatment. Physicians or surgeons spend considerable time tracking or comprehending the patient’s medical records. The ability of medical assistants to decipher the EHR will be a great help for the team of doctors. It allows healthcare professionals to get complete health details under one roof through an integrated database. Therefore, providing more freedom to physicians to emphasize the fundamental concerns and leaving the remaining responsibility of general assessment on the assistant shoulder.

Secure Network for Transfer of Medical Reports

Digital medical records are manageable and can be easily transferable as per requirement instantly. Medical assistants who are well-dressed with EHR software can generously patient records and deliver them to the intended doctors or physicians that will help in better treatment of the intended patient. In addition, EHR software helps assistants keep patients’ confidential health data in a safe environment providing a secure network without any possibility of data infringement. The required health data can be accessed by a limited person who has prior permission.

Comprehensive Care and Better Monitoring of Patients

Medical assistants can properly monitor patients by using electronic clinical records and prudently take necessary decisions at the time of urgency. The complete historical records will help in comprehending health conditions or any prior treatments that have been performed. Many patients have a habit of switching doctors; therefore, digital records will help medical assistants track their medical history. 16-month research and survey done on physicians and administrative medical staff using EHR functions have proven that the holistic evaluation helps increase productivity and thus improves patient outcomes.

Providing Technical Assistance Throughout

Technological development has always been the center stage of the healthcare industry. The adoption of EHR software emerged as a significant shift in clinical treatment. Medical assistants with certified EHR training can offer technical assistance to physicians or surgeons through clinical treatment. There will be no major disruption due to incompetence in analyzing the health reports or tracking medical history. Familiarity with the working of EHR functions will lead to better supervision, adequate technical assistance, resourceful communication and training among the healthcare individuals, and smooth workflow procedures.

Augments Research and Reduces Manual Error

With all the medical records, personal information, test reports, and other health details in one place, medical assistants get searchable information in a quick time. This will provide a complete and clear picture of the patient’s medical conditions. Moreover, electronic health records minimize the chances of human errors, allowing healthcare professionals to get insightful information with minimal chances of any errors.

EHR is the Future of Healthcare Industry

In recent years, the healthcare ecosystem has seen soaring inclusion of automation, and thus clinical medical assistants need comprehensive EHR training for better management of health records. Being one of the lucrative professions in the healthcare industry, medical assistants have substantial demand, especially those who have extensive training with EHR software. Several medical organizations offer all-inclusive EHR training to the medical assistants in their academic programs. You can explore findmedicalassistantprograms.org to know more about the integrated medical assistant programs.

At present, the healthcare ecosystem will not survive without a constructive EHR system, and the latest integration of artificial intelligence, genomics, data analytics, and avant-garde technologies will truly build a firm foundation for the futuristic clinical practice. So, all practicing medical assistants should expand their field of expertise and become proficient with the productive EHR tool. Automation is the future of the healthcare industry, so avail the required knowledge and contribute worthwhile in saving the lives of humans.