The US relies on a large number of public and private entities for financing of health services, each with its own complex requirements for reimbursement. It is hoped that a continued movement from manual to electronic claims processing will reduce these costs. Aside from the additional privacy risks, the costs of such policing will reduce the net savings from electronic conversions. Paper remains the dominant storage medium for patient clinical data in most settings. Is represents a substantial volume of record-keeping.
Patients receive several near-term clinical benefits from CPRs.
First, linked electronic records are potentially accessible immediately, whatever the time, location or situation in which a person presents for care. Moreover, such records can potentially contain a complete health history, regardless of where or when care was previously rendered. This is a distinct advantage for a mobile population, which customarily receives health services from many different sources. Second, electronic medical records can be displayed in forms that more clearly highlight important details, compared to one or more paper files of uncertain organization. Both benefits have obvious utility in emergency situations.