Though it's a grim topic to discuss, the reality is that any innovation in healthcare IT has both the potential to save lives and take them, depending on how effectively it is applied. This is exactly why there is such a great need for advancement like chiropractic EHR, and why effective training and accessible software are so crucial. A powerful example of these fundamental truths came to light in a recent report from the Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Inspector General that has been covered by various medical news outlets in the last week.

According to the report, at least two veterans passed away at Memphis VA Medical Center, and it is widely believed that the misuse, and in certain cases, complete disregard for the facility's EHR system, led to these deaths. The individuals in question were reportedly administered improper doses of medication due in part to this oversight.

"In one case a nurse had inputted into the EHR the fact that the patient had an allergy to aspirin, but that the physician bypassed the EHR and hand-wrote an order for an anti-inflammatory drug that is contraindicated for aspirin," FierceEMR reports. "Had the physician order been inputted into the EHR, pursuant to hospital policy, a drug alert would have automatically been generated."

EHR software can benefit medical practitioners and patients in many ways, but only if it is implemented comprehensively and effectively. This is why the best chiropractic EHR providers also supply quality training and technical support to ensure that every employee who interacts with these systems is comfortable and confident in their use. By encouraging the widespread adoption of medical EHR and dispelling misconceptions of doubts, it may be possible to avoid such dangerous miscommunications.