Harvard Study Finds Reduced Malpractice Rate Tied To Use of Electronic Medical Records

A Harvard Study has determined that lower malpractice rates for healthcare providers are tied to the use of electronic medical records (EMRs). Leading medical record retrieval service provider, MedSave USA, concurs with this assessment and indicates that overall, a greater accuracy is reported with the use of EMRs.

The study, which was conducted by Harvard researchers, found that 6.1% of physicians with electronic records had malpractice settlements, compared to 10.8% without electronic records.

This is according to a press release issued by MedSave USA, a leading national provider of medical record retrieval services to the insurance industry, legal firms, and third party administrators (TPAs).

Access To Medical Records A Problem Many Patients Say

According to an article in USA TODAY, a common complaint among patients and families nationwide is, "It can be difficult to obtain medical records from hospitals and other treatment facilities after something goes wrong."

In 2006, USA TODAY created a Patient Safety website (patientsafety.usatoday.com) to allow readers a forum for concerns over their medical care. Missing and disputed medical records is the most common area of complaints.

"Under federal law, every patient or a designated representative has the right to see and copy the patient's medical records."

Read the full article by clicking on the link below:
Patients often struggle for access to medical records.