Integrating Pharmacogenomics into Electronic Medical Records

New technologies and advances in medicine have transformed the healthcare landscape and changed patient care. As we move away from paper charts to a digital way of keeping records, it has made it easier to process and access data. Electronic medical records have made it simpler for multiple different providers to access patient health information. A development in medicine, such as pharmacogenomics, is changing the way diseases and conditions are treated.

What is pharmacogenomics?

Pharmacogenomics centers on how a person’s genes affect their response to different drugs. This concept is a fairly new way of combining the study of drugs and genomics to develop effective and safe medications tailored to each individual’s genetic makeup. Mostly all drugs are currently made with a “one size fits all” approach. But over the years, researchers and clinicians have come to realize that the same drugs don’t work the same way for everyone. With the knowledge elucidated from the Human Genome Project, researchers are finding that there are inherited differences in genes that affect individual responses to medications. A difference in the genes is what is being used to predict if a drug will be effective or harmful for a particular individual.

Documenting pharmacogenomics into medical records

Pharmacogenomics is an important component of individualized medicine. The electronic medical record is a critical tool to integrate pharmacogenomics data for patient care. Including this information into the health record will help alert providers and assist them in making decisions on which drug will be best for their patients. Since pharmacogenomics is still in its infancy, its use is still limited. But as the field develops, appropriate documentation in the electronic medical records will be vital for practice and awareness. If you are interested in learning more about pharmacogenomics, ask your provider to see if testing is appropriate for you. If you do get a pharmacogenomics test done, it would be part of your medical records.

How can I get my medical records?

If you would like to get copies of your medical records, Order Medical Records can help you. Our ordering process is very simple, quick, and easy. You can request your medical records online from the comfort of your own home. We can have your records delivered in as short as 2 days. Visit us on the web at Order Medical Records to order copies of your medical records.