The benefits of switching from paper health records to electronic are immediate, and include no lost paper, easily accessible files, and enhanced organization. Let’s explore some of the perks of transitioning from paper to electronic health records for school nurses.

Streamlined and More Accurate Data Entry

The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) explains that, in addition to providing holistic care for students, school nurses are qualified to collaborate and consult on many issues spanning disaster preparedness to the confidentiality of student health information.

Ensuring confidentiality is supported by proper data entry. With paper records, school nurses are required to enter student health information from paper documents into their school system. Not only is this time-consuming, but accuracy can be compromised with manual data entry. Electronic health records, where parents fill out and submit this information electronically, are ideal for nurses who don’t have time for data entry. This effectively streamlines the data-collection process as well as ensures data accuracy for a stress-free experience for parents and school nurses alike.

Portability and Security

On the topic of confidentiality, it’s also important to note that electronic health records (EHRs) are one of the most secure ways to store this important student information. According to NASN, Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are designed to be encrypted, with each individual having “his or her own unique username and password that authenticates legally recognized electronic signatures of the entry into the record.”

This ensures that all records are legitimate, accurate as well as secure. And though they remain confidential, authorized users such as the school nurse, athletic trainer and school counselors are able to access essential student health information from anywhere with an internet connection. This empowers them to seamlessly meet the health needs of students even beyond the walls of their office, which is even more critical in the age of the pandemic.

Supporting The “New Normal”

Above all, electronic health records will help school nurses transition to a school year with COVID-19 still being a concern in the year to come. The need for a strong health emergency response, allergy management, and medication distribution will always be a necessity for schools and for nurses to facilitate. COVID health tracking systems are additional requirements that are likely to be around even after the new school year.

Electronic vital health records for school nurses are easy to use, access, and organize, which helps nurses better utilize their time in providing quality care to their students rather than manually entering and updating data.

With Magnus Health, the EHRs are filled out by parents prior to their student’s arrival at school and include everything from the student’s general health information to emergency contacts, allergens, and more. At a glance, school nurses can evaluate a student’s health while parents only need to make updates to the record as needed rather than start from scratch every year.

Contact Magnus Health today to learn more about how electronic health records can assist your school nurse this upcoming academic year