Everything You Need To Know About Virtual EMR Scribes

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Doctors see many patients and it can be incredibly time-consuming to write in each patient's file at the end of the visit or, worse, at the end of the day. Records need to be detailed, accurate, and timely. Most doctors use either a medical scribe or a transcriptionist to help them facilitate this task.

What is a medical scribe?

A medical scribe is a person that is physically present with the doctor, either in the exam room, if appropriate, or in the doctor's office after the exam, to take dictation and notes about the patient's condition, treatment plan, scheduled tests, and anything else that was discussed.

Is a medical scribe the same as a medical transcriptionist?

While a medical scribe and a transcriptionist both enter the doctor's words into the patient's medical file, they do it under entirely different circumstances. A transcriptionist transposes the words from a voice recording that they received from the doctor's office team. A medical scribe, on the other hand, is physically present with the doctor for dictation.

What is an EMR scribe?

An EMR scribe or electronic medical record scribe goes by many names, including a virtual scribe, a remote scribe, or even a telescribe. A virtual EMR scribe is the same as a medical scribe, however, they perform their job remotely. In other words, they are live in a virtual setting with the doctor via a computer. Virtual EMR scribes hear everything during the exam and transcribe the doctor's notes in real-time.

How do remote EMR scribes work?

During a virtual session with an EMR scribe, the doctor simply states their observances, diagnoses, required tests, and other information out loud so the EMR scribe can hear and add the information to the patient's electronic medical record.

Are EMR scribes HIPPA compliant?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, commonly referred to as HIPPA, states that patients have a right to privacy in terms of their medical information. All scribes, whether they are in-person or virtual, need to be HIPAA compliant, and using the services of one is not a violation of HIPPA. A virtual EMR scribe understands and adheres to the privacy regulations set forth by the government. They understand what they see, hear, and type is confidential and, like other medical professionals, know what is expected of them in terms of patient confidentiality.

All medical scribes and transcriptionists play an important role in helping doctors keep accurate records and up-to-date records. The remote EMR scribe adds the convenience of virtual transcription. For more information, contact a company such as My Virtual Scribe today.


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