Getting Started
In order to maximize the potential benefits of an EHR, practices should
consider the following aspects before looking at specific EHR vendors.
Goals
Before meeting with vendors, a practice should begin by defining their
goals from the EHR software. These goals will shape what becomes the “best”
EHR for the practice. Some questions to consider when determining practice
goals:
- Are you adopting an EHR to improve workflow?
- Do you want to be able to track lab results?
- Is it important that the EHR be able to share data with local hospitals?
- Are you adopting so that your practice will be able to participate
in the CMS
e-Prescribing Program or the federal
EHR incentive program?
Once you’ve outlined what you are trying to achieve, you’ll
be better able to select an EHR that fully meets your needs.
Staff Buy-In
Staff involvement is crucial to the success of the implementation. By
involving staff early in the EHR process, your practice leadership can
better demonstrate the value an EHR can provide for each staff member,
and prepare them for the disruption in workflow that will occur during
implementation.
In a perfect process, each group of staff, including physicians, nurses,
medical assistants and practice administrators, would be involved in identifying
key goals for the software and best implementation practices. Particularly
important is the involvement of your practice manager, who must ensure
the practice management components of the EHR are aligned with the overall
business of your practice.
Pricing
EHRs can be expensive. One place to look before you begin your search
is with your local hospital. Because of regulatory changes, hospitals
are now allowed to provide EHR software at subsidized prices to their
affiliated clinicians. Contact your hospital physician representative
to ask about their software before you purchase a different vendor at
higher cost.
A good question to ask your hospital representative is: “Because
of the loosening of Stark regulations, many hospitals are starting to
provide some sort of EHR solution to their affiliated clinicians. Is there
any such program or initiative at your hospital?”
There are several benefits to obtaining EHR software through a local
hospital including free or subsidized pricing, and interoperability with
the hospital and its affiliated practices.
Technology Assessment
Finally, before looking at specific EHRs, your practice should consider
its technology needs. Think about how the basic requirements of EHR software
fit with your current and future technological capabilities. For example,
how old are the computers in your office? Will they need to be updated
with new software, or will they need to be completely replaced? Approximately
how many new computers and peripherals, like laptops or tablets, will
need to be purchased? Do you have the technology infrastructure in place
to fully integrate an EHR into practice workflow?
PREVIOUS STEP: Main Page
NEXT STEP: Choosing an EHR
|
