Electronic documents benefit integrated healthcare networks

As healthcare entities begin to establish direct links with each other and with sources such as physicians and HMOs, electronic document management plays a key role in facilitating each party's simultaneous access to accurate, real-time data about patients, test results, insurance claims, and many other information levels. Though it may be some time before the majority of healthcare entities are aligned in fully functioning community healthcare integrated networks (CHINs), there is no reason for individual hospitals and healthcare providers to postpone electronic document management. They can realize significant benefits by integrating electronic document management into an organization's information management plan now, and that will help them move into a future CHIN.