| which electronic medical records system should I | | | | create an integrated EPM/EMR system. |
| buy?" Since beginning to write on this topic about | | | | A variety of systems are able to be used 'out of |
| sixteen months ago, I've received many emails | | | | the box,' with only minor customization. There's a |
| which ask this question. In response, I've tried to | | | | trade-off: often ease of use is offset by the |
| accurately describe the path our practice traveled | | | | degree to which it can be made customized. This |
| in the experience of going paperless. I feel we've | | | | type of system is usually less expensive up-front, |
| become knowledgeable in bringing the mindset of | | | | preferred by smaller-sized practices or those with |
| new technology to a paper-based culture. This is | | | | limited resources. |
| known as 'change management.' | | | | Systems which are more robust, flexible, and |
| However we are not an authority on electronic | | | | customizable could be a bit daunting for practices |
| medical records (EMR) systems. We have | | | | with limited technical savvy. Working with these |
| reviewed some EMR systems in our process, | | | | systems may require in-house IT to gain additional |
| even participating in early developments with | | | | help from a local consultant. The trade-off here: |
| another system. There are simply too many | | | | the ability to adapt the system to the practice's |
| variables to consider when making this important | | | | existing workflow and processes. Larger, |
| decision for your practice. This may be the most | | | | well-established practices with time-developed |
| important decision your practice will make, except | | | | efficiencies in processes may prefer to change |
| hiring on a new partner. We have an | | | | the EMR system's function instead of the other |
| understanding of what makes the difference | | | | way around. |
| between a bad and a good EMR system, but | | | | Attend Academy and ASCRS functions. At times |
| there are plenty of good EMR systems available | | | | they'll have one-on-one competition between top |
| that we are unfamiliar with. | | | | vendors, with a live audience present. Just go to |
| To assist with your decision-making, you can ask | | | | the vendors' exhibits to examine the various |
| yourself what you aim to accomplish. Do you | | | | systems. Take a test spin; the company rep will |
| simply want to become more efficient? Are you | | | | input your information as you dictate, real-time. |
| anticipating pay-for-performance evaluations which | | | | Have some practice names to use as reference, |
| will require that you use EMR? Is it that you're | | | | even if not specifically ophthalmology practices |
| almost out of physical space to store your paper | | | | (though preferred). |
| records? These are all major factors in our | | | | We selected NextGen's integrated EPM/EMR |
| decision to switch. | | | | system in the end. Our staff views this system |
| My next recommendation would be that you | | | | as a development tool, and we've been changing |
| create a wish list of desired features. Start with | | | | the way the application works so it molds to the |
| those that you need to have, then adding those | | | | ways at our practice. This has resulted in more |
| that would be nice to have but are not critical. | | | | work for us, pushing back the 'go live' date. We |
| You should discover if you would like to keep | | | | are confident that this will play a favorable role in |
| your current practice management system or | | | | a successful EMR implementation. |