Dr. Howard Robinson with Brookfield Veterinary Hospital in Redmond, Wash., started his practice with the intention of being
paperless. "Our lab reports, radiograph reports, and every kind of report we get are scanned into our computer as a PDF file
when they come in, so they go directly into the patient file," he says. "Even faxes are received electronically, directly
into the computer."
Not everything can go electronic, though. "We scan all our release forms, but because the owners sign those forms, we keep
a hard copy and file it in a loose-leaf folder, just in case we need the original," he says.
Dr. Howard Gittleman of Animal Medical of New City in New City, N.Y., has moved toward complete EMRs but argues that at some
point, there are diminishing returns. "Scanning every document into the patient's medical record just because we can adds
considerable cost which doesn't translate into improved patient care," he says.
For these two practitioners, and others, a totally pristine, paperless environment isn't possible or practical. "I think the
term 'paperless' is a misnomer," says Dr. Stephen Pittenger, president of the Association for Veterinary Informatics. "I know
very few hospitals that use electronic medical records (EMRs) that don't still crank through a pretty decent amount of paper.
For some things, it's easier to carry around and glance at a piece of paper." Yet with user-friendly practice-management systems that can assimilate information previously spread across multiple places,
moving to EMRs makes sense for many doctors. Even if they have to keep some paper files, these doctors cite many advantages
of their electronic systems.
Data at your fingertips
In the trenches: Tips for a smooth transition to EMRs
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"I feel strongly that veterinarians who don't use EMRs are missing the boat," says Dr. Dave Roos with Adobe Animal Hospital
in Los Altos, Calif. "They're being inefficient."
Dr. Roos' practice has about 20 full- and part-time veterinarians, plus consultants who come and go, and everyone uses the
computer system. "I can't imagine the pandemonium if they didn't," he says.
One of the biggest benefits: easy file storage and retrieval. "I enjoy never having to search for records around the practice,"
says Dr. Roos.
Dr. Robinson agrees. "We've never lost a chart," he says. "Not once. Plus, we have a computer by every telephone, so when
a client calls, I can pull the file up within 15 seconds."
Clear-as-a-bell records
Another advantage: "Everybody can read everybody else's records," Dr. Gittleman says. "I've often been faced with the daunting
task of trying to read handwritten records that are unintelligible. Hospitals are plagued by busy schedules and inadequate
time to legibly document and organize patient medical records."
The records are also more complete, Dr. Gittleman says. He uses a template in his electronic system that prompts him to fill
in details and populates common information.
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