There are many choices out there for Elecrtonic Medical Records and we know how difficult it is to select one. We recommend that you demo many products before ever selecting one.
Preliminary Steps to Implementing Electronic Medical Records:
- Find out about regional incentives available for implementing EMR
- Purchase or lease high quality printer/scanner that can easily scan documents to a computer in your office or your server
- Test the computer literacy of your nursing staff as they will be needed to document H&P or Vitals in the EMR
- Decide on either tablet pcs or computers in every exam room and the nurses station
- Look into leasing/purchasing options for computer equipment if your current computers are outdated
- Evaluate your own desires for a .net/asp or internally hosted application
- Determine current cost savings with implementing EMR. Things to consider- More accurate coding, chart prep savings, staff hours reduction(10% after 6 months), transcription cost savings, etc…
- Determine variable costs increase with the implementation of Electronic Medical Records- Productivity drop during transition, licensing fees, support costs, computer maintenance costs, purchase/lease costs for additional computers, training costs, scanner costs, etc….
Top Things to Consider:
- Ease of Use-Directly effects your productivity and therefore your bottom line. Don’t expect to be more productive for at least 6 months
- Must interface very well with your Practice Management Software and be easy for your nurses to learn
- Costs-Affordability
- CCHIT Certified-make sure program will qualify for rebates
- Functionality for your specialty
- Lab Interface
- Medicare E-Prescribe
Check with the specialists at http://FreeEMRSolutions.com or email emrhelp@primarycaremedicalbilling.com.
We also recommend you speak with one of the executives at Physicians World Online as they can help you select an appropriate program. aeriksen@pwomail.com
