Electronic health record templates are customizable forms that help providers collect, present, and organize clinical data. When used appropriately, templates can reduce typing and help physicians spend less time on documentation and more time with patients.
Optimize your EHR
The medical record plays many roles. It is the home of patient data and the primary communication tool between health care providers. It’s also the basis for reimbursement claims and a legal document that must withstand scrutiny.
For all of these reasons, good EHR documentation is paramount. But how can providers complete a thorough note without getting bogged down by the growing load of charting and paperwork?
Templates are one answer.
The role of EHR templates
Many providers type large pieces of text that reoccur based on typical visit types. Templates are customizable forms that providers can easily apply to different sections of the EHR.
Well-designed templates are short, easy to use, and include pertinent positives and negatives. Once added to the note, the template becomes a seamless part of the chart text.
As one EHR vendor says:
“The residue of the template in the chart should be a complete note to mark the clinical encounter that meets documentation standards with minimal extra typing and no unnecessary chart bloat.”
Most certified EHRs include a library of standard templates by specialty and the ability to customize or add new ones. Most providers will tailor their templates based on common visit types to get the most out of the EHR.
Template benefits
Efficiency is the primary benefit of templates. Providers with optimized EHR templates can streamline their documentation workflow and get back hours of lost time.
In addition to these time-saving benefits, templates can serve as a reminder to ensure complete care while helping standardize data capture.
If your templates aren’t saving you hours each week, learn how to make the most of your EHR templates.
