Aligning Your EHR System to Your Practice's Environment...

By Ronald McLaughlin posted 04-07-2011 10:31

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Is smarter than aligning your practice environment to your EHR system.

There are dozens, if not hundreds of clothing selections that you can choose from Nordstrom's or any online or brick and mortar store. The same with an EHR system. But just like a shirt, you do not have to deal with most of the brands. You just need to narrow the choices down to two or three by developing goals, criteria and finally requirements for your system.

Goals

The more precise you can make your goals for having an EHR system, the better they will help guide you. For example:

Reimbursements: You may want to see this go up. If so, put a number on it like a 20% improvement in reimbursements.
Stimulus Money: One goal might be to receive the $44,000 provided by CMS when you implement a system.
Gain Efficiencies: You may want to reduce phone calls, improve claim rejection rates, decrease your dependence on paper, etc. If that's the case, make the goals very specific.

Criteria

The system you select needs to be a match with your practice. For example, if you prefer not to deal with IT in your office, select a system that is hosted by the vendor. Or a reverse of that might be that you want the data in your office. If so, eliminate those vendors that only host in a cloud.

Payment is a huge factor. How much can you afford to pay and how will you pay it? Do you need a loan to purchase a system? What will the tax ramifications of your purchase be?

Timing is also an issue. There will be a disruption to your office that you will have to take into account.

A good way to obtain a comprehensive list of criteria (and goals for that matter) is to ask everyone in your office for their views on an EHR system and what they want it to do.

Requirements

From your list of goals and criteria, you can develop a list of system requirements. For example:

ü Full implementation of all 25 Meaningful Use Requirements

ü Certifiable for stimulus funds

ü Verification of patient eligibility in real time

ü Automated claim creation and submission

ü Electronic remittance

ü $10,000 down and $200 per month

ü Electronic, expanded reporting

ü Compliance with all privacy laws

Resources

Now is the time to talk with some users and review vendor neutral sites. Start with your colleagues who are already using a system. Medical Associations may also be a good source for vendor data.

EHR certifiers like CCHIT could provide you with information about vendors who have voluntarily committed to attain and maintain certification.

Finally, every state has a Regional Extension Center (REC) funded by the government for the purpose of assisting practices in finding the right EHR system.Click here for an extension center near you.

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