| If you're looking fro an Electronic Medical Records | | | | something unlike anything else that they have |
| System, then you might already have a shortlist | | | | used, there is likely to be a steep learning curve, |
| tor try, or know exactly what you want. If you're | | | | and lots of teething trouble and errors until |
| still not sure, then here are 10 things you'll want | | | | everybody has finally got the measure of things. |
| to avoid. | | | | This can bprove to be costly, and could also |
| 1. A hard to use system won't be liked by | | | | impact on the standard of care given to patients. |
| anybody, and will be slow and cumbersome for all | | | | 7. A hard to use system might need dedicated IT |
| patients. In addition it is likely to need additional | | | | Staff on hand to help resolve problems quickly |
| support or updates to make it easier. | | | | and efficiently. This will add to the cost of the |
| 2. A slow system will be intolerable for patients as | | | | system, and could mean that there are fewer |
| well as staff. Appointments will take longer and so | | | | resources for other areas, such as nurses. |
| fewer patients can be seen in a day, making it | | | | 8. AN EMR system that is hard to integrate with |
| harder to get an appointment and waiting times | | | | other systems or sites is not going to be a good |
| longer. | | | | investment, and can prove to be more trouble |
| 3. If the system is unreliable then patients will | | | | that it is worth in the long run. |
| rightly wonder whether it is in fact progress. | | | | 9. It is important to remember not to choose as |
| Medical staff won't know if the data they enter | | | | system based on your requirements, rather than |
| will be retained, or whether the system will work | | | | those of your patients. The system that might be |
| properly from one day to the next. | | | | just right for you, might be totally unsuitable for |
| 4. An unsecure system will put patients' medical | | | | keeping patient records up to date in a busy GP |
| records at risk from being seen by unauthorised | | | | surgery. |
| people, and so patients will be very anxious about | | | | 10. Don't buy on cost. There's no money to be |
| their details being exposed, or being used | | | | saved if you quickly reach the capacity or limit of |
| fraudulently. | | | | or your new system, and need to replace it on a |
| 5. A system that is not future proof may require | | | | regular basis. The most effective system might |
| expensive and time consuming upgrades or | | | | be the cheapest, but it should be bough on |
| replacements as technology progresses. This likely | | | | effectiveness and suitability for purpose rather |
| to infuriate all involved, and cause a lot of distress | | | | than price. |
| for patients. | | | | Now you know what sort of things to avoid, |
| 6. If staff have to learn a new operating | | | | perhaps now is the time to implement the right |
| environment, or the EMR systems uses | | | | Electronic Medical Records system. |