Currently there are over 400 hundred providers in the world of electronic medical records. (Selecting the Right EMR Vendor. 2006) And together the needs of any size clinic with a wide range of needs can be serviced. Anything ranging from outpatient/ inpatient care, primary care, mental health, chiropractic, therapy etc. there is a system out there that will address the needs. Due to the overabundance of EMR providers, physicians face a somewhat overwhelming decision when trying to settle upon which software with best suit their needs. The main types of practices served by the various providers are Primary Care, Related Specialists, Inpatient care (Hospitals) and a range of small to large practices. For our purposes we will focus on the needs …show more content…
of a smaller individual primary care doctor’s office. The need for the transition to EMR is very clear, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) enacted the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act) where our government is spending $25.9 billion to promote and expand the adoption of health information technology. Medical offices that make “meaningful use” of “certified” electronic medical record systems could receive up to $63,000.00 in reimbursements from Medicare premiums. (HHS.gov) The mandate states that offices must comply by 2015 or they will face lowered Medicare payments. When choosing an EMR provider there are multiple concerns that must be addressed before a selection is made.
First, does the office only need the power to work with the medical records alone or would they prefer a more powerful system that integrates billing and scheduling? If the office has recently invested in billing and scheduling systems that are already in place then they may not want to scrap the current system for one that does it all. Second, security must be at the forefront of the decision. The EMR system must have proper implementation of and measures for security issues as they relate to patient privacy and HIPAA regulations. And third, how well will the office take to the new interface they will see when working with the EMR system? Provided the correct training and depending on the level of comfort each user already has with computers the transition can be a smooth …show more content…
one. There are multiple choices for both web based and server based systems. And both have advantages and disadvantages. Web based has fewer hardware requirements for example and is appealing to offices who wish to save on their up front costs. This does mean that there will be the inevitable Internet connectivity issues and will be a bit slower that an in house server based application. Server based by contrast has more up-front costs for purchasing of hardware and software but beyond the initial expense and the annual maintenance there is nor recurring costs. In house server based systems allow you to continue working when the Internet is down. However, the office will need to do their own back ups to ensure data will not be lost. Kareo is one of the most popular EMR solutions on the market.
This web-based “medical billing and practice management” option is touted to be very user friendly and is capable of managing scheduling, storage of documents, insurance confirmation and billing/ collections. Kareo can be used in a variety of different specialties including, family practice, chiropractic, podiatry, cardiology etc. One of the top features of Kareo is its mobility. It is designed to work on the entire suite of Apple I devices. This allows doctors to use its intuitive pick lists and templates rom anywhere. And it seamlessly transitions back to the web version. Kareo is advertised as free but that can be misleading, the basic application is free but to have more services that most offices would require do have a cost. However it is free to get started and to confirm that the basics of the software will work for your office before committing to the services, which requires a monthly commitment. Kareo would be best fit for a small to medium sized practice wanting to get into an EMR quickly and easily.
(Kareo) NueMD is another could based option for offices. The service is designed to work over a secure Internet connection operating independently of the web browser avoiding many security risks. One of NueMD’s best features is its customer support. They utilize an IM based system, which allows for responses from the IT specialists in a matter of seconds. NueMD offers a full suite of software to address the needs of offices of all sizes. They can provide support for scheduling, electronic records management, practice management, and billing services. NueMD has its own billing clearinghouse, which allows for unlimited claims from the offices they support. Many users have recouped lost revenue to the extent of 5% -10% almost immediately. The Internet-based app works with multiple devices, allowing doctors to make changes to records and paperwork from the exam room, and since it is web-based all updates occur in real-time. (NueMD) MediTouch works under its parent company Healthfusion which was founded by Doctors. Being a cloud based technology, MediTouch allows users to access their records and software from a variety of devices, both apple based and android based. This remote and mobile technology provided the doctors the ability to have more direct contact with their patients while submitting their charts and accessing their records in the room with them without being behind a computer. Updates to patient records and files are done automatically without the need to link to the main computer. The core software provides for charting, prescriptions, allergy checks, requesting labs etc. The software package can even allow for a patient interface where patients can log in to the secure system to request prescription refills, set up appointments and even pay their bill. The prescription requests go through a national network allowing the provider to refill or prescribe without the need to fax the pharmacy. MediTouch prides itself on its simplicity and ease of use, they claim since it was designed by doctors for doctors the software allows for more intuitive and practical management of files and charts. (HealthFusion) It is clear that there is wide variety in EMR services for doctors. All companies are happy to set-up a demonstration for perspective users and many offer training either web based or a trainer will come to the provider’s site. Most of the systems can be tailored to the specific needs of the office and many offer a-la-cart options so providers can pick and choose what they need and not purchase anything they do not. Whatever the needs of the office there is a system out there who will be able to adequately meet them, while also streamlining many processes and demonstrating the all important “meaningful Use” requirement from the ARRA and HITECH acts.
Recommend which system is the best choice to meet meaningful use requirements in this particular setting. Both Cerner and CPSI have helped hospitals meet CMS Stage 1 and Stage 2 requirements. However, Cerner provides a modular concept that larger hospitals are using more than complete inpatient systems to achieve MU (Zieger, 2013). In 2014, EHR vendors said eight hospitals had attested to MU Stage 2, and Cerner was used twice as much as CPSI (Gregg, 2014). Concerning Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE), CPSI System had the broadest reach in community hospitals; nevertheless, the software was missing functionality and usability (KLSA Enterprises, 2010, p. 6). Therefore, CPSI’s CPOE was significantly below the market-average due to low physician satisfaction (KLAS Enterprises, 2010, p. 6). KLAS Enterprises (2010, p. 2) reported Cerner clients were happier the more they adopted CPOE.
For years now, the healthcare system in the United States have managed patient’s health records through paper charting, this has since changed for the better with the introduction of an electronic medical record (EMR) system. This type of system has helped healthcare providers, hospitals and other ambulatory institutions extract data from a patient’s chart to help expedite clinical diagnosis and providing necessary care. Although this form of technology shows great promise, studies have shown that this system is just a foundation to the next evolution of health technology. The transformation of EMR to electronic heath record system (EHR) is the ultimate goal of the federal government.
To be considered meaningful users of the EMR, the qualified applicant must use clinical content that is consistent and standardized across systems and healthcare settings, use decision support tools such as alerts and reminders, have the ability to collect and store raw data from documentation that can be used for reporting purposes, collect and report data to the state. Reporting of data will help to improve public health and awareness and provide sharing of information between systems (Tripathi,
Unfortunately, the quality of health care in America is flawed. Information technology (IT) offers the potential to address the industry’s most pressing dilemmas: care fragmentation, medical errors, and rising costs. The leading example of this is the electronic health record (EHR). An EHR, as explained by HealthIT.gov (n.d.), is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. It includes, but is not limited to, medical history, diagnoses, medications, and treatment plans. The EHR, then, serves as a resource that aids clinicians in decision-making by providing comprehensive patient information.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss how Electronic Medical Records (EMR), affects healthcare delivery. I will discuss the positives and negatives this issue has on healthcare and how it effects the cost and quality for healthcare services. In addition, I will identify any potential trade-offs to cost or quality. Lastly, I will discuss how the EMR affects my job as well as any challenges or opportunities this issue presents.
“An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. EHRs are real-time, patient-centered records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users.” (healthit.gov) The EHR mandate was created “to share information with other health care providers and organizations – such as laboratories, specialists, medical imaging facilities, pharmacies, emergency facilities, and school and workplace clinics – so they contain information from all clinicians involved in a patient’s care.” ("Providers & Professionals | HealthIT.gov", n.d., p. 1) The process has proved to be quite challenging for providers. As an incentive, the government began issuing payments to those providers who “meaningfully use certified electronic health record (EHR) technology.” (hhs.gov) There are three stages that providers must progress through in order to receive theses financial incentives. Stage one is the initial stage and is met with the creation and implementation of the HER in the business. Stage two “increases health information exchange between providers.” ("United States Department of Health and Human Services | HHS.gov", n.d., p. 1) Stage three will be the continuation and expansion of the “meaningful use objectives.” ("United States Department of Health and Human Services | HHS.gov", n.d., p. 1) The hospital, where I work, initiated the HER mandate many years ago. In this paper, I will discuss the progression and the challenges that my hospital encountered while implementing the EHR mandate.
Healthcare professionals associated with medical billing and coding know the progress the technology has made so far. In the last few decades, medical billing and coding has switched from being a paper-based system to a computerized format. Under HIPAA laws, medical practitioners had to develop new software in order to send out electronic bills. With the advent of electronic medical records (EMR), with one touch of a button, doctors, Nurse Practitioners and PAs can gain access to all the care a patient has ever received from every healthcare facility the patients visited previously and can figure out possible illnesses. This enables statistical documentation of the population as a whole as well. EMR can also make the healthcare system more transparent and allow integration with reimbursement data. As the healthcare system changes, this will prevent unnecessary costs and make it easier to get the reimbursements needed to treat a patient.
In this paper you will find that the transition from paper health records to electronic medical record is a transition that requires a lot of time and precise preparation and planning. Looking through the paper you will see that there are factors that need to be implemented. You first definitely have to have your medical records. Next you have to know the role that HIPPA will play in your transition because of regulation and violations. Then, you have to prepare for potential problems that you could possibly face. Next, you will see there are several things to evaluate from how long it will take to cost. You will see prices for workstation and the number of staff that you need to carry out your plan of action.
Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a digital collection of patient health information instead of paper chart that captures data at the point of collection, supports clinical decision-making and integrates data from multiple sources in any care delivery settings. The health record includes patient’s demographics, progress notes, past medical history, vital signs, medications, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports. National Alliance for the Health Information Technology defines EHR as, “ an electronic record of health-related information on an individual that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability standards and that can be created, managed, and consulted by authorized clinicians and staff across more
An electronic health record (EHR), or electronic medical record (EMR), refers to the systematized collection of patient and population electronically-stored health information in a digital format. It details medical problems, medications, vital signs, patient history, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports, progress notes .These records can be shared across different health care settings. It resides on an enterprise information systems and is exchanged via electronic networks.EHRs may include a range of data, including demographics, medical history, medication and allergies, immunization status, laboratory test results, radiology images, vital signs, personal statistics like age and weight, and billing information.why is it needed? It seeks to be a complete record of a patient that can follow him/her from setting to setting increasing knowledge and consistency. It allows providers to obtain a complete picture of a patient and allows firms to automate and streamline workflows. It could improve patient and financial outcomes via evidence-based decisions, quality management, data mining, tracking, and reporting.
A healthcare manager should look at all the benefits of a software program before buying it. If it does not help with the workflow, then money is wasted. When implementing a new system in software, the manager should have training for the employees who will use it. If not properly trained, the system may be avoided or used in different ways not intended for the workflow (Cresswell, et al., 2013). Also, a manager must make sure the software is compliant with the HIPPA Laws for protecting sensitive
EMRs provide a common access point where clinicians and health care providers can review and document information about clients and their care. These records are essential to improving efficiency and increasing client safety (Electronic Medical Records, n.d.). Electronic reports are an enabling technology that allows medical practices to pursue more powerful quality improvement programs than is possible with paper-based records (Miller, Robert; Sim, Ida). Clinicians and clients do not have to worry about errors occurring due to the poor legibility of handwritten paper medical records. EMRs facilitate the continuity of care before, during and after hospitalization because all the data in one place. Think of the amount of time and money employees spend on phone calls, emails, and faxes ...
EHR was designed to help physicians and not waste their resources. These systems should make data entry efficient and retrieval of data even more so. The sad reality is that it is failing in those areas. But since healthcare organizations, like most organizations often take wrong tech decisions. This results in serious workflow issues because of the clumsy tech.
Currently, Kaiser Permanente, a nonprofit organization has already begun to implement the practice of electronic medical records. Kaiser Permanente patients have the privilege of sharing their medical history with each medical provider seen during their Kaiser membership. Depending on the level and type of information needed, every healthcare professional patients have encounters with within their geographical region will have access to notes, prescriptions, procedures, and diagnostic tests at the click of a mouse, to effectively and proficiently render care. All medical documentation provided to Kaiser Permanente from othe...
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) provides convenient access to the staff of the clinic. It also provides quick access to patients’ information each time staff wants to retrieve the data. Other than that, the system could help in solving record movement problems and at the same time improve the quality of the process. In terms of security, using the EMR is more secured compared to manual system as it can be restricted to certain user for example to medical officer and receptionist. The user needs to login into the system so that it can be easily monitored and identified who uses the system. As for the b...