Advantages of using electronic patient records in health services

Abstract

Objective
To identify in the scientific literature the advantages of using the patient's electronic medical record in health services. Method
This is an integrative literature review, which was carried out between the months of July and October 2020, using the descriptors “electronic health record AND public health, electronic health record AND nursing informatics, electronic record of health AND health services ”. The search took place in the LILACS databases and in the Virtual Library of SciELO, through standardized strategies using the crossing of descriptors.
Results
The main advantages found were remote and simultaneous access to information, data security, readability of records, integration with other information systems and reduced use of paper. Despite this, numerous difficulties were noted for the implementation of the eletronic medical record.
Conclusion
The implantation of the electronic medical record brings more benefits than possible damages to the health services, with economic and sustainable reduction from the reduction of the sheets of paper.