| Implementing Electronic Medical Record (EMR) | | | | paperwork, increase efficiency, reduce staff, |
| software in your medical office is one of the | | | | improve your billing, deliver a higher quality of |
| most beneficial things for your practice's success. | | | | service to your patient's or simply just have an |
| The right EMR software can help you REDUCE | | | | efficient electronic medical billing system? Also, |
| your staff number, expenses, medical errors and | | | | what can you save by accomplishing these goals? |
| documentation time. However, buying the wrong | | | | > Perform a cost-benefit analysis: |
| EMR system can shape into a complete | | | | Since every medical office works differently and |
| catastrophe. | | | | have different inefficiencies, it is important to |
| Owing to the technical nature of the emr | | | | evaluate your expected Return on Investment |
| systems, it is difficult for an average consumer to | | | | (ROI). You must draw an estimate of budget you |
| comprehend the inner workings of software, not | | | | will be able to invest in your EMR software (not |
| to mention its potential pitfalls. Having more than | | | | including hardware, implementation time and |
| 300 PM/EMR software vendors, currently hunting | | | | training). The cost of electronic medical record |
| for prospects, makes your search for the right | | | | softwares can range between $1000 and |
| emr software even more difficult and a daunting | | | | $45,000. |
| task. However, please remember that all medical | | | | > Seek unbiased sources of information: |
| softwares are not created equally. All practice | | | | Not all information found on the web is reliable as |
| management products may look identical in the | | | | internet offers unbiased information on medical |
| first instance but, each has its individual | | | | software industry. It would be wise to consult an |
| functionality and integration. | | | | IT Company or EMR expert to guide you through |
| EMR Systems Price levels... | | | | the process of selecting the right medical |
| Level 1: Boxed systems for small (1-2) provider | | | | software vendor and emr product. Research your |
| offices that generally run below $3,000. | | | | colleagues on what they are using and if they are |
| Level 2: More customized systems for medium to | | | | happy with it. Most medical software companies |
| large sized offices. These emr programs often | | | | have fairly informative websites and some even |
| require on-site installation and training because | | | | have online demonstrations. |
| they need to be customized for each application. | | | | > Be realistic: |
| Prices usually run from $5,000 to $35,000, | | | | Laying more emphasis on technology equals |
| depending on the number of providers. | | | | increasing your dependency on the same. As a |
| Remember: | | | | practitioner, all you need to know is how to use |
| The cost of hardware, installation and training is | | | | this new medical software and not fix its |
| NOT included with most emr software quotes. | | | | problems. It is best to put an IT consultant or |
| Implementing successful EMR program... | | | | EMR specialist in charge of this area and ensure |
| As a dedicated practitioner, it is essential for you | | | | they are proactively available whenever |
| to investigate the medical software system and | | | | something goes wrong. |
| its company in greater depth. Doing so will help | | | | > Handling staff resistance: |
| judging the emr system's ease of operation, | | | | When purchasing anything high tech for your |
| flexibility and vendor/s willingness to make | | | | office, keep in mind the computer skills of your |
| customizations for you. | | | | staff members. Job insecurity can be another |
| Many medical practices purchase EMR software | | | | reason for your employees to exhibit some level |
| assuming that it will automatically provide all the | | | | of resistance towards the adoption of new |
| benefits that were promised to them. For | | | | technologies. Educate them about the emr |
| successful EMR implementation, it is important for | | | | system including the advantages and exciting |
| the buyer to understand whether the practice | | | | opportunities that will come along. Providing |
| management system:- | | | | adequate staff training on the emr program will |
| - Does what it is expected to do. | | | | build their confidence and eliminate the threat of |
| - Is easy to use and understand. | | | | loosing their employment with you. |
| - Offers good approachable support providing | | | | > Robust hardware to improve your EMR |
| regular updates. | | | | functionality: |
| | | | It is imperative to leverage the right hardware |
| Taking informed decisions before buying EMR | | | | base to meet your office needs and improve |
| system... | | | | user experience. Involve the right IT Company |
| But, even before contacting any EMR software | | | | from the beginning to ensure a hassle-free |
| vendor, it is important to identify and analyse the | | | | implementation of your emr software. |
| problems plaguing your medical office. For this, | | | | In correlation to all said above, you may find all |
| you should exercise the following:- | | | | your interests met by Houston Medical Software |
| > Set Goals: | | | | Company. Houston VIP EMR System delivers |
| Exactly what do you wish to achieve with EMR | | | | customized yet integrated solutions to your |
| implementation in your office. Are you looking to | | | | practice type - be it Physiotherapy or Podiatry or |
| improve organization's productivity, eliminate | | | | any other general practice or specialty. |