Important Insights on Choosing Electronic Medical Records Software (EMR)
Among the most critical requirements for the success of any medical practice is an efficient electronic medical records (EMR) program. Although there are benefits to having a huge variety of these applications today, the variety makes it harder to choose. But it does get easier with a few helpful insights in mind.
The following are considerations for you to make as you choose EMR software for your medical practice:
First off, you need to decide if you want to host both the hardware and the software yourself. Application service providers (ASPs) have their own servers on which they maintain software they license out, which can be accessed by users via the Internet. This option is suitable for small practices where upfront costs are lower and IT responsibilities are fewer. With some ASPs, hosting may be local, meaning the server will be located in your office and maintenance tasks will be performed there as well. In any case, having another entity manage your patient data has its risks, so you have to iron out data ownership and business continuity issues before committing to any ASP.
Often, selecting a system for a small practice also typically begins with product demonstrations. Some vendors are hesitate to go through a formal RFP process with small practices. You need at least five potential systems for your review. If you can, work with other doctors in your area. Consider teaming up with them to simplify the process and even offer leverage with vendors too.
Whether or not you plan to go solo, you have to establish a selection system. This way, you can ensure consistency as you evaluate your options, make appropriate comparisons, and avoid distraction from pitching vendors.
A good way to begin is by gathering a team that will take charge of assessing your prospective systems. Make sure the group is composed of at least one representative from each department that will be using the system, such as quality improvement, nursing, billing, IT, and the rest. Then come up with a list of questions to ask as each candidate EMR software is reviewed. Using an evaluation matrix or any other similar tool can help you analyze every feature and functionality. This will also help guarantee that you will not miss any areas. Then compare the applications based on ease of use, workflow, and cost.
Finally, all staff should be involved in product demos. Everyone’s needs must be met, so as much as possible, they must be part of the evaluation process. During a demo, it’s not the salesperson who should be “driving” the product. Instead, use specific scenarios based on actual patient visits to know how the system really fits your workflow. This is the closest you can get to seeing how the system will likely be useful in your day-to-day operations.
Source: http://www.makingdifferent.com/4-ways-technology-impacting-health-today/