Implementing an EMR: paper's last hurrah

The implementation of an electronic medical record system in any large organization is as complex a task as the design of the system. During implementation, it is necessary that health care providers using the electronic system are able to communicate with colleagues who are continuing to work with the paper record. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is well along the path to implementing an electronic medical record system. One of the key issues addressed has been the need for the electronic system to integrate with the paper record. This need to function in the dual electronic/paper environment has placed new demands on printers, required revision of some paper forms, and required the electronic system to create facsimilies of paper record forms. In addition, new security issues have been raised. Dual paper/electronic environment issues are an important challenge in the implementation of an electronic medical record.