Selecting the best EHR for your practice CureMD 08:17

With various EHR options available, differences in practice operations and the intricacy in achieving the integrated paperless environment, it is of immense importance for physicians to create a strategy for the review of EHR systems. It will not only save time but will also save the unnecessary spending of money.

Some of the tips when developing the strategy while you evaluate the EHR systems.

Examine the vendor 

• check the vendor’s references and referrals
• Does the vendor have certified product for 2014 and ICD-10?
• How much experience does the vendor have? How many providers and sites per business entity?

Inspect the system

You also need to do your homework on the different EHR systems that you are considering.

• Identify the number of businesses and physicians that have adopted the system.
• Check whether the system is an integrated EHR with Practice Management or it is the PM interfaced with the EHR.
• If you are considering only an EHR system then get the information on the PM and see if it can be interfaced with the PM and what are the associated costs related to it.
• See the number of years that EHR system has been in active use.
• Check the ownership history of EHR or are there any mergers?
• If the companies offer other products and services then what are they?
• So what extent is the EHR product owner’s primary source of business?

Observe the EHR live

If Possible observe different practices using the system and it is important to see how the system works in the real time before you purchase it.

System costs

It is difficult to forecast the realistic cost expectations associated with acquiring an EHR. The cost of software alone will not give a real estimate. Practices without any existing hardware’s will have the highest cost. Those practices that are using IT equipment which is three or more years old will incur the same costs as with a practice with no hardware. Purchasing only an EHR will have less implementation costs but if a practice pay for EHR System integrated with Practice Management System then the totals costs would be close to a fully integrated EHR/PM system.

What to do after you have purchased an EHR?

The work is far from over after you have selected the EHR system. Here are some of the tips to follow to make sure that you get the most from your system.

1. Make use of Patient Portal

Start using the patient portal as soon as possible. Patient communication and document management are the two areas where practices gain efficiency and significantly improve the operations.

2. Interoperability

Interoperability has a significant value with the use of EHRs. Don’t try to save your costs by delaying your investment in order to interface with other systems that are able to provide patient data.

3. Usability

Make sure you consider the impact and usability for staff, provider and patient. Failure to assess the impact for staff and patient may become a problem for provider.

4. Ease of use

Once the system is fully operational, the staff gets comfortable with the use of EHRs rather than focusing on ease of implementation and training. Use of EHR will have a far greater impact on the cost of practice and working environment over the period of time rather than during the implementation period.

5. Make sure of  vendors knowledge

Ask your vendor so show you what are the configurations and options that will enhance the use of your system and that will make your job easier.

6. Adjust  your practice, not the EHR system

Consider the implication of changes in practice rather than altering the EHR system because in doing so the practice can realize operational improvements, considering them otherwise wouldn’t have been possible.

 

7. Assess your practice regularly

Annually assess the need to adjust your software contract and licenses in order to accommodate the changing needs of the practice and employees or the portability of employees or those providers who might need remote access to their EHR system.

8. Learning curve

As new system and procedures are included into the practice, there will be a learning curve that all employees need to accept. Those employees who possess the technology skills will adapt quicker than those who do not. Evaluating the employees readiness and giving initial training to those who require basic skills through local education classes will help the practice adapt to the new process.