| Small and single medical practices often think that | | | | affects the overall cash flow of your medical |
| there is no need for EMR software (Electronic | | | | practice. You may have plans to grow your |
| medical records software). However, contrary to | | | | practice for the next two to three years, but |
| popular belief, EMR software doesn't have to be | | | | without accurate revenue projections, you have |
| so expensive that it's out of reach. In fact, the | | | | nothing to base your plans on. You will find that |
| cost savings for using EMR software may far | | | | when the time comes to spend some money to |
| exceed the cost of not having one in place. This is | | | | grow the practice, your plans may have to be |
| because with the right system, the operational | | | | delayed due to cash flow reasons. |
| costs of the practice increases. | | | | EMR software helps to streamline work-flow |
| For example, when patient appointments are | | | | processes, and keep all medical and financial |
| managed manually, they tend to be rather | | | | records in a well organized fashion. Now, with EMR |
| disorganized. Often times, patients forget about | | | | software, you can truly transition to a "paperless" |
| their medical appointments. So they fail to turn up. | | | | office thru electronic fax receiving, electronic |
| The doctor thus end up having free time slots, | | | | e-prescribing, electronic lab results, and the |
| which is not good. | | | | electronic note and medical record. |
| Software can help manage and schedule patient | | | | Now that we have established the need for EMR |
| appointments. One glance at today's schedule, and | | | | software, let's take a look at some key features |
| the doctor (or staff) will know what is coming up | | | | to look out for when evaluable such software. |
| ahead. Staff may even call or send text | | | | The first thing to look for is ease of use. Yours is |
| messages to remind patients to turn up for | | | | a medical practice. So chances are, your staff are |
| appointments. This will lead to less canceled | | | | probably not the most tech savvy. Therefore, |
| appointments. If a patient can't make it to a | | | | the software must be easy enough for them to |
| scheduled appointment, there should still be | | | | know how to use. |
| enough time to call another patient and fill in that | | | | Comprehensive tools - you need all the tools you |
| empty slot. In this way, appointments are | | | | can get your hands on to help with the |
| organized in a much better manner. | | | | operational challenges that you are facing. These |
| Then there is the constant problem of bill | | | | include documentation tools, work-flow features, |
| collection. Patient bills can be paid by the patient | | | | communication features, insurance billing; |
| themselves, or they can be settled by insurance | | | | e-prescribing; document scanning and imaging; vital |
| claims. Either way, you will need software to help | | | | signs; patient family history; and of course |
| manage all the billing issues. Expected revenue is | | | | recording the SOAP note. At a minimum, your |
| different from realized revenue. That means what | | | | emr software selection MUST be CCHIT certified, |
| your practice has managed to collect is different | | | | and preferably, certified for each year. |
| from the amount that you expect to make. This | | | | |