6 Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing an EHR for Your Practice
Choosing an EHR is no simple feat. A recent survey released by Deloitte revealed a majority of physicians agree that EHRs are valid for analytics, reporting capabilities, and improving clinical outcomes; however, just as many admit to being dissatisfied with their EHR vendor. With the variety of options, you must select an EHR that meets your practice needs.
Here are 6 things to keep in mind when selecting your EHR vendor:
1. Where to Start: EMR & EHR’s
Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are electronic paper charts. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) replace paper charts and also offer a variety of productivity tools designed to streamline your practice’s operations. You can start your search here, the Certified HIT Product List (CHPL) facilitated by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC).
2. Key Functionality & Features
Identify your practice's highest priority needs, and be sure that the EHR you select not only meets your needs with the right features but that you can quickly implement those features to achieve meaningful use and practice goals. Being able to actively manage patient data, track operational indicators, and meet regulatory and accreditation requirements can be essential for your business.
3. Agility & Scalability
Your EHR/EMR vendor should be ready and able to adapt to a constantly changing environment. Be sure that your EHR vendor can scale with you and will adapt to meet new government standards.
4. Support Availability
Getting ahold of a salesperson is simple; getting ahold of support can sometimes be tricky (unless AlphaRidge supports you!). Evaluate your prospective vendors, vetting for the one that has the best support reputation. Ask questions like “What support will I receive both during and after system implementation?” and “When I call support, will I be able to reach an actual person?”.
5. Ease of Use
You might want to invest in the sleekest and most expensive EHR, but no matter how impressive the EHR is, if it isn’t intuitive, it can take a critical toll on workplace productivity. Please request a free trial or a live demonstration of prospective EHR systems, and don’t hesitate to crowdsource and ask colleagues about their EHR experiences.
6. Avoiding Unestablished EHR Vendors
Relying on an EHR designed by a developer working in his mom’s basement can lead to many issues. Not only will it expose your practice to vulnerabilities, but chances are high that that software will not meet the rigorous standards of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology-Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB) – which is a requirement for practices to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive payments.
