|
|
Practice Considerations When Transitioning to an EMR System
By Karen Appold, Contributing Editor |
|
|
|
Implementing an EMR system makes good financial sense. It helps a practice avoid "meaningful use" financial penalties by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in an environment of declining reimbursement. Along these same lines, by using an EMR system, a provider is eligible to receive federal financial incentives of up to $44,000.
When employing an EMR system, be sure to consider the following factors:
1. Expenses. Studies show that the cost of an EMR system ranges from $15,000 to $75,000 per provider. Maintenance costs tend to run $4,000 to $8,000 per year.1 "In-office systems cost more up front but cost less on an annual basis for maintenance," says Justin C. Brown, MD, in practice at Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, in Charlotte, NC. "Web-based systems cost less up front but more for annual maintenance. The total costs are greater in larger practices but less per provider due to economies of scale."
2. Savings. Electronic billing can result in faster claims submission and faster payment by 1 to 2 weeks. "This allows for additional initial revenue after implementation," Dr. Brown says. "Many providers will also have time to see more patients once they adjust to an EMR system, thereby increasing revenues."
3. Communication. Having a central record system unifies practices with multiple sites. "All doctors can enter notes and communicate with other physicians — both internally and externally — very rapidly," says Rishi Singh, MD, medical director, Clinical Systems Office, and staff physician, Cleveland Clinic, at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, which has five offices. "We have the ability to drop our exam elements and drawings of the patient's eye findings into a letter to be sent to the referring provider."
4. Staff input. It's a good idea to get input from everyone on staff who will be using the EMR system, although this may not be realistic for a larger practice. In that situation, Dr. Singh suggests having a representative of each employee group convey the attributes they believe are essential. Desired features might include clean interferences and a fast processing time for accounts receivable.
5. IT staff. Smaller practices and those using Web-based systems may not need an IT person to maintain an EMR system, but they will require a tech-savvy staff member who has the time to maintain and troubleshoot any issues. Dr. Singh's practice, which has almost 45 physicians, has several full-time IT employees devoted to their EMR system.
6. Doctor/patient relationships. Dr. Singh suggests promoting an EMR system to patients as a record of truth. "I think patients will view it as a positive change when presented in that light," he says. An EMR system also gives patients better access to their medical information.
"However, clinicians need to be careful to avoid spending too much time looking at the computer screen, which can reduce patient satisfaction," Dr. Brown warns. "A scribe can assist, but that increases cost of care."
7. Efficiency. An EMR system can track data — such as how long patients spend in the office, how long patients wait to use certain equipment and so on. A practice can use this information to make changes to improve efficiency. In addition, an EMR system allows for more efficient use of physical space by eliminating paper records.
8. Security. An EMR is more secure than paper charts because everything is password protected. In addition, EMR records are encrypted.
Reference
1. Frequently asked questions. http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/faqs/how-much-going-cost-me. Accessed August 5, 2013.
|
|
|
|
|
