| You will often find most EMR vendors as well as | | | | images and databases. |
| Physicians using EMR System and EMR Software | | | | It is clearly evident that EMR software is just one |
| interchangeably leading the readers to believe that | | | | component of an EMR System and is therefore |
| they stand for the same product. In fact, as | | | | only one of the components of an EMR System. |
| explained below, they are quite different and in | | | | It is simply not good enough to assemble motley |
| fact EMR Software is one of the components of | | | | of ill-fitting components in a Clinic and expect |
| an EMR System. | | | | them to make your operations more efficient |
| The term "system" originates from the Greek | | | | since the various components may not work |
| term syst¯ema, which means to "place | | | | seamlessly and will certainly not perform value |
| together" and defines a system as an integrated | | | | added processing. |
| set of interoperable elements, each with explicitly | | | | When Physicians buy EMR Software from EMR |
| specified and pre-defined capabilities, working | | | | Vendors, they will typically get the following: |
| seamlessly to perform value-added processing to | | | | 1. EMR or EHR Software (Application software) |
| enable a user to achieve set objectives. | | | | 2. Application Database (with required Database |
| What is EMR System? | | | | objects like files, triggers, procedures, etc.) |
| An Electronic Medical Records (EMR) System | | | | 3. Configurable Lab and Pharmacy interfaces |
| includes the following components: | | | | 4. Specifications of recommended commonly |
| 1. Infrastructure - Physical and hardware system | | | | required and used hardware and software |
| components, for example, Workstations and | | | | As you can see, there is a vast difference |
| Servers, Tablet PC, Laptops, Monitors, Scanners, | | | | between the components listed above (as part of |
| Networking components like Routers and Bridges, | | | | an EMR System) and what the EMR Vendors will |
| etc. | | | | typically provide. |
| 2. Software - Application software (EMR or EHR | | | | Physicians can provide quality healthcare to their |
| Software), Operating System software (Windows | | | | patients but do not have the necessary expertise |
| 2003 server, for example), utilities, and other | | | | to assemble all the components required to build |
| applications like Instant Messaging, Fax Servers, | | | | and implement an EMR System that will integrate |
| Networking Software, Lab interfaces (with Quest, | | | | all the required pieces of hardware and software. |
| Labcorp), ePrescription, etc.. | | | | It is a collaborative exercise that requires close |
| 3. People - Personnel involved in using, maintaining | | | | co-operation between the EMR vendor, Clinical |
| or managing the EMR - this includes the Clinical and | | | | Staff, Administrative (Billing) Staff, Information |
| administrative staff, Physicians, etc . All these | | | | Technology (IT) Support staff, Physicians, etc. |
| people need to receive appropriate level of | | | | By working with an expert EMR Consulting |
| training in order to use the EMR effectively. | | | | company or an EMR Systems Integrator to build |
| 4. Business Processes - Guidelines, instructions, | | | | and integrate all required components of a |
| and steps involved in keeping the EMR System | | | | customized EMR System, physicians can reduce |
| running smoothly. This includes patient | | | | the risk involved with any Systems Integration |
| appointment scheduling, appointment reminders, | | | | project, ensure successful implementation and |
| billing, co-pay, etc. | | | | maximize their return on investment from EMR or |
| 5. Data - Information captured, used, and | | | | EHR Software deployment. |
| supported by a system, including documents, | | | | |