Electronic medical records in the ambulatory setting: the quality edge.

The electronic medical record in the ambulatory setting will be a force to be reckoned with during the 1990s. The increased quality of the medical record will lead to an increased quality of patient care at a fairly level cost (no long-term increase). With the new and increasing excitement about continuous improvement in health care, the electronic medical record can be a cornerstone of our quality assurance program and our quality improvement program. The electronic medical record needs to be taken seriously.