The selection and implementation of the best EMR/EHR can be a challenging yet rewarding process. These best practice guidelines will enable you to navigate the EHR selection criteria, helping you find the best EMR/EHR software for your practice.
Over the past few decades, the global medical enterprise has been radically transformed by a powerful number of growing technological advances. Namely, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2014 mandated that all U.S public and private healthcare providers adopt the use of electronic medical recordkeeping systems (EMR/EHR). The wide-scale adoption of EHR systems has allowed for an efficient and seamless flow of health information within the digital health enterprise. Although the U.S mandated the adoption of EMR systems in 2014, numerous practices and physicians have yet to adopt their own EMR system.
Why? There are many responses – physicians are not clear on the benefits of an EHR, or they have had prior negative experiences with a variety of EHR systems, or have learned of similar, complex experiences from colleagues using different systems.
Yet, the benefits of a well-working EHR are, in fact, overwhelmingly compelling. In this review, we will detail the top 5 reasons to purchase and utilize an effective EHR system.
Improve productivity
Are you among the 42% of physicians experiencing burnout? Feeling stressed and overwhelmed about how to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
EMR systems uniquely streamline common administrative tasks and remove the burdensome necessity of others, such as comprehensive data entry or paper filing. By organizing and automating protected health information in one accessible location to all appropriate staff, EHR systems completely eliminate the traditional chart chasing notion. Instead, EHR systems save medical professionals hours per day by streamlining tasks and automating information. Thus, practices with well-developed EHR systems can not only see a greater volume of patients without compromising on healthcare delivery, but they can also house happier and healthier workers who are no longer burdened by administrative tasks but rather equipped with the utmost freedom to practice medicine.
Improve practice efficiency
Looking to enhance clinical capacity and increase revenue? Feeling hindered by the structure of your current institution?
By streamlining workflows, physicians can see a greater number of patients without compromising on standardized appointment time allotment or resources. With a greater patient volume, practices generate a significantly greater amount of billed revenue. EHR systems also greatly improve documentation efficiency which additionally results in increased billing rates. Thus, EMR systems uniquely allow practices to grow exponentially in both clinical and financial domains, while simultaneously improving the patient and provider experience.
Improve patient participation & satisfaction with care
Seeking to improve patient experience and satisfaction? Looking to build stronger and healthier relationships with your patients?
EMR systems are constructed with a deep commitment to improving the patient healthcare experience and its implementation results in several immediate patient-centered benefits. An EHR platform significantly improves patient engagement by equipping health professionals with tools to help patients visualize important results and key healthcare metrics, such as BMI, and share important resources. Likewise, many EMR systems are equipped with an interactive patient portal that allows patients to have greater autonomy and control over their care experience. Not only does this portal increase communication but also helps to improve patient responsibility over daily health management. Each of these EMR benefits result in increased patient engagement but also, importantly, an increase in patient satisfaction with care.
Improve patient healthcare outcomes
Looking to improve patient healthcare outcomes? Wanting healthier and happier patients?
As aforementioned, EHR implementation results in more engaged and satisfied patients. Such an increase in engagement in-office and satisfaction with care prompts patients to not only develop a greater understanding of their health but also to assume a greater responsibility over their own health. With a clearer understanding of and responsibility over their health, patients experience greater healthcare outcomes. Similarly, EHR usage actually allows physicians to perform improved diagnoses and treatment plans, which also influences improved patient healthcare outcomes. With a well-developed EHR system, practices can help make their patients live longer and healthier lives!
Improve care coordination & data security
Feeling burdened by administrative tasks and paperwork? Looking to collaborate with other medical professionals outside of your clinic? Worried about how best to securely share protected health information?
EHR systems greatly decrease the fragmentation of patient health information and care across different providers and practices. By integrating and organizing patient health information and facilitating its distribution among authorized healthcare stakeholders, all professionals involved in a patient's care are able to view the same updated and accurate information with ease. Not only does this improved care coordination improve healthcare delivery, but it also reduces potential medical error and unnecessary medical mandates. EMR systems are also encoded in high profile encryptions to ensure data security and they only grant access to authorized users. With an EHR system, you can practice safer and more efficiently.
The five benefits of EHR usage detailed above are just a few of the plethora of EHR benefits that exist. If you relate to any of the questions asked under each benefit, we strongly suggest you consider adopting a trustworthy EHR system. Please visit our Why Praxis page to learn more about why Praxis is the most innovative, efficient, and trustworthy EHR system for all practices and specialties. Feel free to contact us for any specific questions or concerns about the best EHR system to suit your specific needs.
As you begin to consider updating your current EHR system, remember that it is important to find a system that will work best for your practice and patients. A progressive EHR system can prevent physician burnout and increase the quality of patient care. As you explore options that best fit your circumstances, it is important to note that the transition process may need support. With this guide, we will review aspects of switching EHR systems to assist your contemplations.
There are many factors to consider when choosing an EHR system. Patient satisfaction is one of them. Studies have shown that patient satisfaction rates improve after practices adopt a new EMR. The best time of year to adopt a new EHR system depends on your practice - but if you're looking to make patients happier, one way to do it could be changing your charting system to be more efficient.
For small practices with few staff, the best time to adopt an EMR is around the beginning or end of a month. This strategy allows your health care team sufficient time to work through implementation before/after patient volume starts picking up again. With a lower patient volume, you have some extra hands-on deck.
Are you experiencing burnout from your current EMR system? Signs of burnout include physician fatigue, physician dissatisfaction with your work-life balance, physician disengagement from patients and staff, physician cynicism towards the practice of medicine. If you are experiencing these signs, consider switching EHRs! Not only will you improve patient satisfaction, but you will also be taking care of yourself too. By the way, Praxis is one option you may want to consider - have you thought about scheduling a demo?
Although physician burnout affects many practices, it's important to remember that physician satisfaction is a top priority. Take care of your staff by using an EHR system everyone can use efficiently. This will help you be successful with your patient care - as long as the software works for all members of your staff!
Best EHRs are designed for ease-of-use, but they take time to get used to - so make sure that your employees have ample training opportunities. With an easy-to-learn interface and robust user support, the best EHR vendors should be able to train users of all levels of experience in little-to-no-time.
All in all, the best time to adopt an EMR for your practice depends on the needs of your staff and patients. Keep this in mind as you plan out your new EHR adoption strategy - it's important!
Digital health care is here to stay so it's important for practices to adapt quickly. If you're not happy with your EMR system, it doesn't matter what time of the year it is -it may be time to switch now! Of course, you may also be here because your current EMR system sunsetted, or maybe a merger has ruined the interoperability of your EHR and billing. If that's the case, check out our guide for choosing an EMR now.
1. Are you as productive as you can be at work?
The first question is about whether you're productive at work. If you're not as productive as you used to be, it might be because of your current EHR software.
As demand for healthcare increases, healthcare professionals face unprecedented busy schedules. EHR systems must be fast and efficient to use to keep up with you. The EHR software should be designed to decrease administrative tasks and enhance a physicians' ability to provide high-quality patient care by allocating more time to the development of the doctor-patient relationship. Many template-based EHR systems today require healthcare professionals to spend more than two hours a day charting-quality time they should be spending with their patients. This is unacceptable. EHRs must not demand such a sacrifice to patient care. If this sounds like your average work day, if it's hard for you to find the information that you need, or if your current system is difficult to use, then it's time for a change.
The implementation of an effective EHR will improve your practice's productivity. An efficient EHR's practicality and ease of use will save you more time in the office so you can enjoy your time outside of the office. An effective system can uniquely streamline common administrative tasks and remove the burdensome necessity of others. Cut back on comprehensive data entry or paper filing. By organizing and automating protected health information in one accessible location to all appropriate staff, EHR systems eliminate the traditional chart chasing notion.
EMR systems save medical professionals hours per day by streamlining tasks and automating information. Thus, practices with well-developed EHR systems can see a greater volume of patients without compromising on healthcare delivery. Even better, these practices have happier and healthier workers who are no longer burdened by administrative tasks but rather equipped with the utmost freedom to practice medicine.
Do your employees seem happy? If they complain about the system and how slow it is to use – then that's a sign that you need a better EMR. Switching to a top EHR provider can bring improved productivity and efficiency to your practice. If you're spending a lot of time completing tedious templates, you might benefit from an EHR with different attributes. An upgrade to a well-designed EHR will enhance your practice's efficiency and increase clinical capacity. By streamlining workflows, physicians can see a greater number of patients without compromising on standardized appointment time allotment or resources. With a greater patient volume, practices generate a significantly greater amount of billed revenue - revenue that you can give back to your hard-working staff.
EHR systems should also greatly improve documentation efficiency which can result in increased billing rates. Thus, top EMR systems allow practices to grow exponentially in both clinical and financial domains, while simultaneously improving the patient and provider experience. By design, EHR systems are made to improve both the patient and provider experience. A well-designed EHR system is going to be user-friendly. That ensures users are able to reap the plethora of comprehensive EHR benefits. However, many EHR users today feel hindered due to navigation and search difficulties, and difficulty of use.
Do you waste time with your current EMR software? The best EMRs are going to be simple to use, giving them optimal usability. The best way to increase your practice's productivity is by equipping your team with an intuitively fast, efficient EHR system. Interestingly, switching to a new EMR can result in revenue increases of 10-15%. For example, some of our clients reported bonuses of $120k-$150k, directly related to using our EHR daily! It boils down to this: increased productivity and quality of care correlates to an increased bottom line. Speaking of care...
2. Are your patients satisfied with your practice?
The second question is all about your patients, the bread and butter of your practice. Patients are the most important part of your practice. Are your patients satisfied with their appointments lately? Do they enjoy coming into your practice and do they feel content after their visit? Put yourself in their shoes - how would you feel?
A top reason that patients may feel like they are not receiving best care because they feel that their provider doesn't have enough time for them. If your practice has inefficient charting processes, this would be a top contributor to lack of patient attentiveness! Luckily, this is a problem that the best EHRs can fix. If you are seeking to improve patient experience and satisfaction, an EMR system is going to make the process a lot easier. With top EHR systems, you are going to build stronger and healthier relationships with your patients - especially if you have an EHR that learns more about your practice as you use it.
The number one way to ensure your patients get the attention they deserve is by implementing an EMR system especially designed for physicians and their staff, with easy-to-use features. Forget about "time-saving templates"! Templates are cumbersome and do the opposite of what they're designed to do. Instead, look for EHR systems that become more customized the more that you use them. The best EMR systems are constructed with a deep commitment to improving the patient healthcare experience and its implementation results in several immediate patient-centered benefits.
Plus, the top EMR systems are going to come equipped with insightful analytics that allow you to track patient history, helping your staff provide a more personalized experience every single time. An EHR platform significantly improves patient engagement by equipping health professionals with tools to help patients visualize important results and key healthcare metrics, such as BMI, and share important resources.
Likewise, many EMR systems are equipped with an interactive patient portal that allows patients to have greater autonomy and control over their care experience. Not only does this portal increase communication but also helps to improve patient responsibility over daily health management. Each of these EMR benefits result in increased patient engagement but also, importantly, an increase in patient satisfaction with care. Healthier and happier patients mean more patient recommendations to your practice.
If you're reading this, then you must be striving for the best medical quality and care - and the mission to improve medical quality and care remains at the heart of every EHR system. EHR systems were designed to inherently to improve the state of medical quality and care. However, some EHRs are better suited to improve medical quality than others. Improved and thorough documentation at each the patient encounter makes your practice stand above others in quality of care. This will improve patient healthcare outcomes. Speaking of patients...
3. Are you seeing enough patients for your practice to see a profit?
One of the best testimonies a patient can give is continuing to utilize your practice. So - is your practice making a profit? Don't let yourself go on the verge of going out of business because there aren't enough patients to see! Not seeing patients prevents any sort of revenue from being generated. It may seem counterintuitive to buy into a new system to make a profit, but you can take as evidence from many physicians (at least the ones we talked to that switched to Praxis) - it works!
Another benefit of having a good EHR system is the improved delivery of care, particularly if it streamlines the documentation of assessments and interventions. How easy is it when all patient information is available in one place! High quality care increases in engagement in-office and satisfaction. That's why both healthcare providers and patients reap the benefits of a good EMR software. Clinicians gain a clearer understanding of the patient, leading to improved patient healthcare outcomes. EHR usage allows physicians to perform improved diagnoses and treatment plans. Patients receive a high degree of satisfaction and greater healthcare outcomes. EHR implementation results in more engaged and satisfied patients.
Speaking of implementations, you're also going to want the best artificial intelligence systems to be implemented into your EHR. If you ask three patients the same question, wouldn't it be easier if your EHR remembered that about your workflow? Wouldn't that save time and increase your attentiveness to your patient? Imagine a workday that you could spend more time with your patients instead of wasting time in front of your charts, finalizing them. That's going to make both you and your patients happier.
So - if you're at the point where you're wondering whether it's time for a new system, then it probably is. Choosing an EHR is less about budgeting than it is prioritizing the best care for patients. If the top goal for your practice is patient-centeredness, make sure your current EHR is aligned with that mission. If it's not, that's definitely another sign that it's time for a change.
4. Are you protected against medical malpractice claims?
Someone had to say it - this is a reality being in a medical field that your practice is at risk of receiving medical malpractice claims. Why ignore it when you can prevent it? Just like in health care - preventative care is the best care. Implementing a new EHR system is one way to help protect your practice from malpractice claims. How?
We can speak from experience here - one of the ways in which Praxis has been able to decrease risk for our clients is through rigorous testing and validation processes that are required for certification. The top EHR systems out there are going to do this for you. And remember, there's The Meaningful Use program, which incentivizes providers to adopt certified EHR technology. This is one way the federal government has tried to improve healthcare quality and safety and make it easier on your wallet.
Ultimately, you have to make sure that whatever EHR you choose, that you can securely share protected health information in compliance with legislation. EHR systems greatly decrease the fragmentation of patient health information and care across different providers and practices. The integration and organization of patient health information promotes continuity of patient care. Through facilitation of secure distribution among authorized healthcare stakeholders, all professionals involved in a patient's care can view the same updated and accurate information with ease. Securely collaborate with other medical professionals outside of your clinic. The best EMR systems are also encoded in high profile encryptions to ensure data security - they only grant access to authorized users!
Of course, there are other ways that EHR systems can help you protect your practice from malpractice claims - by reducing transcription errors, for example. The best EMR systems reminds you at the point of care of how you treated patients with similar conditions in the past. For example, you might get a prompt that gives you the option to ask the present patient the same questions and give them the same advice (that's what Praxis does). If you think of additional detail, simply document it, and it will be there as a reminder for all subsequent encounters.
You're going to protect yourself, your medical practice, and your clients by completely documenting your assessments and care. The problem is when this takes so much time: then you either a) spend hours charting or b) take dangerous shortcuts. The thing is, you protect yourself from litigation with thorough documentation. If you have an EHR that makes documentation harder, it's working against you. If you have an EHR that works intuitively alongside you, it is supporting high quality patient care and protecting you at the same time.
By the way, there's no way a template can do that. We are strong proponents that templates lead to human errors that lead to malpractice. Get an EMR where your physician notes are not the creation of a template software, rather are based on your examination of your patients. Templates can be introduced as evidence against you during litigation in a court of law. Do not compromise your documentation. Protect your license and practice with thorough, complete, and accurate progress notes with your EHR. After all, EHR systems should be designed to lower your stress and protect from physician burnout. Consider that your choice of EHR is going to promote - or get in the way of - your health and your peace of mind. Speaking of burnout...
5. Do you feel happy?
If you answered no to this question, or any other question, what are you waiting for? You deserve to feel happy and fulfilled in your line of work.
That's what got you started with your practice in the first place. Make sure your EHR supports these goals:
- save time
- user-friendly
- patient satisfaction
- protect from malpractice claims
- support high quality patient care
- promote physician happiness and fulfillment
Your current EMR may be the number one reason why you're not productive or losing patients. If there's even a slight chance this is the case, your health is worth weighing in on new options. Switching isn't so bad, and we've already made a whole guide to walk you through the process. Here's a key point to remember - in addition to what we described, you're also going to want a user-friendly system that doesn't require extensive training in order to be up and running quickly. You're a busy doctor, you shouldn't have to spend hours learning how to use your EHR.
Weigh the pros and cons, and make sure that when you do switch, it's an easy process for all of your stakeholders: from the IT staff who will be installing and maintaining the system, to office staff who will be using it. And here's one final question to ask yourself: can you afford to continue using the same system that's broken, not user-friendly and time-consuming?
To sum it up: if you answered no to any one of these questions, it might be time to switch vendors. Invest in yourself and in your practice! The best EHRs are typically more expensive than other options on the market. However, they pay for themselves in time savings and quality care. Before you jump into a new system, you better weigh all the pros and cons. Learn about the system you're buying into and see if it'll actually benefit your practice or just keep slowing you down.
By the way, if you realize now that it's time to say goodbye, learn how you can easily switch EHRs! We give you 8 simple steps to take to switch EHRs, from comparing your options to the date you “go-live”. Get started today – and while you're at it, see if Praxis could be a good fit for your practice.
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In the past decade, electronic health records (EMR/EHR) have grown to dominate the digital healthcare enterprise and completely transform the operational efficiencies of modern-day medicine. As EMR systems became evermore prominent, several different EHR companies and systems have been developed to meet demonstrated need. When attempting to differentiate between these systems, it's important to understand the characteristics and attributes of a well-designed and fully operational EHR system. In this review, we will highlight the top 5 best attributes of every successful EHR system.
Optimal Usability and Simplicity
By design, EHR systems are made to improve both the patient and provider experience.
Thus, a well-designed EHR system must be user-friendly to ensure users are able to reap the plethora of comprehensive EHR benefits. Surprisingly, however, many EHR users today feel hindered due to navigation and search difficulties. Therefore, it's important to thoroughly consider the usability features of the most common EHR brands today. For example, Praxis EMR-ranked #1 in EHR usability and Customer satisfaction for the past four years-is built on the philosophy that an EMR is not a “computer application” but rather a medical tool. Praxis provides users with the information they need when and where they expect it by following a simple yet effective formula.
Information = Data - Noise
Data is everything you see on your computer screen; Information is the data that you need now; and noise is everything else that you are forced to filter out. Praxis eliminates noise because it replicates your medical thoughts, expressing your medical concepts in the words you are used to and in the order you are used to seeing them, with each bit of information exactly where you would expect to find it.
When considering EHR systems, we strongly recommend reviewing the mission, philosophy, and usability features of your selected EHR systems.
Speed and Efficiency
As hospital systems continue to become ever more occupied and healthcare professionals face unprecedented busy schedules, EHR systems must be fast and efficient to use. The EHR software should be designed to decrease administrative tasks and enhance a physicians' ability to provide high-quality patient care by allocating more time to the development of the doctor-patient relationship. Many template-based EHR systems today require healthcare professionals to spend more than two hours a day charting-quality time they should be spending with their patients. A top EHR system must not demand such a sacrifice.
Praxis eliminates this sacrifice with its unique template-free model and AI driven engine that redirects the two hours normally spent charting to the cultivation of the important provider-patient relationship. With Praxis, it takes less clicks to finish a full chart than with any template-based system. With only a few mouse-clicks you complete entire complex chart notes. In fact, Praxis clients report that it takes them less than 45 seconds to complete a chart. Praxis is that fast. This is because with Praxis, you are literally charting as fast as you think. How is this possible? Praxis learns directly from you as you chart in your own words, in free text. Therefore, in Praxis, you are interacting with your own words and medical concepts. In effect, instead of you having to adapt to templates developed by an EMR vendor (that presumably knows more about treating a certain condition than you do!), Praxis adapts to you, getting smarter and faster the more you use it. Before you know it, you are charting at the speed of your mind!
Protection Against Medical Malpractice
As physician burnout becomes an ever-growing problem, EHR systems should be designed to lower physician stress and protect from physician burnout. More than 40% of present-day providers report burnout, and many EHR systems are not conducive to provider health and peace of mind. When considering EHR systems, it's incredibly important to select the EHR system that not only has the health of patients in mind, but also the health of its users and the heroes of our society.
For example, at Praxis, our EMR works with the mind of the physician, helping the doctor every step of the way. Praxis reminds you at the point of care of how you treated patients with similar conditions in the past, so that you may ask the present patient the same questions and give them the same advice. What is more, if something new pops into your mind, you simply document it this time, and it will be there as a reminder for all subsequent encounters. With Praxis, doctors have more time to spend with patients and need not spend time after-hours finalizing charts. Doctors also won't wake up in the middle of the night, suddenly realizing they forgot to tell a patient something important. Praxis will give you peace of mind.
Additionally, Praxis EMR's template-free model consistently lowers common human errors that lead to malpractice. No template does this. Additionally, Praxis helps defend you legally because your notes are protected by physician-patient confidentiality because they are not the creation of a template software, but rather are based on the examination of actual patients. Templates, in contrast, may be introduced as evidence by a prosecution in a court of law. Imagine how pleased a plaintiff's attorney would be to find that your entire practice could be reduced to a series of simple statements. Suddenly, your art of medicine is diminished, and you appear to be a mere technician forcing all your patients into a single mold.
Improve Medical Quality and Care
A mission to improve medical quality and care is at the heart of every EHR system. EHR systems were designed in themselves to improve the state of medical quality and care, and in the past few years, we can see the outcomes of this admirable mission in full force nationwide, as medical care is more advanced than ever. However, it is well-known that some EHRs are better suited to improve medical quality than others. Thus, when browsing options, it's necessary to review the EHR system's attributes to ensure it is indeed successful in improving medical care.
At Praxis EMR, we not only make improving medical care easy. As providers, you inherently wish to practice at your very best under any situation. With Praxis EMR, you are constantly refining your approach to medicine. Ask a patient a question once and Praxis will remind you to ask that question every time a similar case is seen. This helps ensure that you deliver the highest quality of medicine to all patients, at all times. Praxis EMR ensures that you maintain your own personal level of excellence at all times, no matter how many patients you are seeing, or how many hours you've been working. Like no other system, Praxis EMR constantly improves the quality of medicine you provide to your patients, and helps make you a better doctor.
Increase Clinical Capacity and Revenue
As the healthcare enterprise continues to attempt to meet the growing demand of healthcare services across all populations, an EHR system must be prepared to assist and support an institution through growth and change. An EHR system should also work as an institutional partner, and not simply a tool. These are incredibly important to consider when seeking a suitable EHR for your practice, as the best EHR system should be one that supports your growth, not one that inhibits it.
By equipping your team with an EHR system that is fast, intuitive, and efficient, your practice can better meet the demands of the community by seeing a larger volume of patients, without compromising medical care quality. With Praxis saving you more than two hours' worth of charting a day, there is no other EHR better suited to help you grow than Praxis!
Not only is Praxis prepared to assist you in clinical and workflow optimization, but also in financial growth. Most Praxis EMR customers see increases in revenues of 10% - 15%, with some Praxis EMR clients reporting bonuses of $120,000 to $150,000, solely related to using Praxis EMR on a daily basis. This is because the increase in medical quality from using Praxis directly improves productivity and the practice's bottom line.
Undoubtedly, the top EHR system should consist of the top five EHR attributes detailed above. With these characteristics in mind, identifying suitable vendors and eventually choosing the best EHR system for your specialty becomes a much easier and importantly enjoyable task. If you feel prepared to analyze top vendors with these qualities in mind, please visit Top Ten EHR Vendors page. Feel free to contact us for any specific questions or concerns about the best EHR system to suit your specific needs.
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How can you determine if you have the best EHR system? Electronic health records can be a huge investment for any practice. You want to make sure you're getting the best bang for your buck, and that means knowing what you need before you even start looking at vendors. The requirements list might seem daunting, but don't worry, we're here to help! You know you have the best EHR when you can say these statements.
Electronic health records can be a huge investment for any practice. You want to make sure you're getting the best bang for your buck, and that means knowing what you need before you even start looking at vendors. The requirements list might seem daunting, but don't worry, we're here to help!
For the hundreds of EMR systems out there, there are probably thousands of "different" features to sort through. Don't let yourself get fooled about buzz words. You owe it to your practice to invest in the right EHR, that does what you need it to do both before and after the sale. That means when looking for an electronic health record system, you need to think to yourself about what you need your new system to do…and then double check with your vendors what's available. So, it's time to get serious about finding the perfect EMR for your practice. When evaluating EHRs, if you can say these things, that will help narrow down and figure out the system that is perfect for your needs.
My EMR can be customized to fit the needs of my practice. When we talk about customizability, we're not just talking about changing colors of charts. We're referring to the ability for you and your staff to use an EHR that can be tailored specifically for what you need it for in your practice - whether that means being able to create custom forms, integrate with other systems or having different views of data at different times.
I can get support for my EMR system whenever I need it. Hopefully, you will have a good relationship with your EHR vendor where they are always available to help. The thing about vendor support is this – not only does it include customer service, but also how much help they are willing give when trying out their product in-house before purchase. See how you are treated before becoming a client!
Your EMR software is only as good as the people behind it, so don't settle for anything less than a solution you can trust to be there when you need it, with customer service and technical support that makes sense. It's important not just at sign up but throughout your relationship with an electronic health record vendor.
It's easy to see how I'm doing when I look at my EMR. You want an EHR system that provides the metrics you need to measure the success of your practice. “Metrics” refer to the ability to track not just how you're doing today but also set goals and measure progress over time. This is one of the best perks about electronic health records - customizable reports at your fingertips! Your software should be able to break down all the information in a way that makes sense for you, and help when it comes time to decide on treatment plans or make necessary changes in patient care.
All-in-all, along with these three things, when looking for an electronic health record system, you need to think about what you need your EMR to do…and then double check! If self-service is important for you and your patients, find out if your potential new EMR system will allow patients who miss appointments to reschedule.
Having all of these three things in an EHR is a good indicator that you've found a system that will work for your practice now and into the future. If you can say these things about your current EMR, then you know you have something special. But if not, don't worry! These are just signs that you've found what you need. If you can't say these, then, you haven't found what you need yet. Just keep looking - by the way, have you thought about Praxis EMR for your practice?
We all know that one of the most important decisions we make as a practice owner is choosing an EMR vendor. It's easy to get caught up in features and pricing, but it is essential to read between the lines of your EHR contract. That's where you'll find out how easy it will be for your staff to use the software, how fast implementation will be, and how flexible they are with changes or upgrades. We're here to share the secrets and demystify reading EHR vendor agreements, so you can read between the lines of what you're going to get, and so that you can get a system that meets YOUR needs!
How easy is it to use?
It's important that your EMR system be easy-to-use and easy for new employees or staff members to learn. If you've ever had an employee leave the practice because they couldn't adapt to a certain EHR software, then you know how frustrating this can be when replacing them! If your vendor doesn't provide easy-to-understand demos or live training, then that's a huge red flag! Look for things like quick start guides and easy navigation. These are great tools to make sure new staff members can be brought on board quickly without having major hiccups in the office workflow. Their contract might include language that talks about huge cancellation fees, or rigidity in making changes. Speaking of rigidity...
How flexible is it?
One of the best things about the best EMR systems is how they can access any module from anywhere. There's nothing worse than a vendor that doesn't offer the flexibility and easy access to different modules. How annoying is it when a staff member needs something and couldn't figure out anything when they checked the system - they had to go find it themselves manually, and this can create major headaches when trying to manage reports or marketing campaigns! Find out what your new EMR has in store. Will it be easy for staff members to access the modules they need? Are staff members allowed to call in for support? Can you get reports without having a PhD in computer science? You need to bring up these concerns with your vendor and see what kind of support they can really offer. Make sure there is email and phone support accessible when you need it! This is especially important when getting started.
How fast can you implement it?
One of the main reasons people switch EHR is because the previous one took forever to find information! So why would you want a new EMR that takes forever to implement? If you're going to make the switch, it should be a fast process. Some vendors are much better at this than others. If an implementation takes longer than a month, you're going to start seeing some serious productivity issues in your office. Ask the vendor how they handle implementations and if they have any tools that can make the process go faster. If not, then be prepared for a long wait! The best EHR contracts are transparent and detail the needs of your practice. If you can't read it or don't understand what's in there, then chances are that other practices also had issues when they contracted that vendor for an EHR system. Sure, you can read through a sample contract to see what's inside - but you're better off reading between the lines of your agreement to ensure you're getting what you need.
In a growing medical world, selecting an EHR is paramount in maintaining the success of your practice. There are many facets to the decision, and it can be challenging to make the right choice on a tight deadline. How do you make the best decision on an EMR for your circumstances? This guide will walk you through steps to contemplate when adopting a new EHR system.
When choosing an EHR, it's helps to compare little details. How can you make the best, most informed decision, on a tight timeline? We share the fastest way to figure out the best EMR out of two or more options. The thing is, if you're still reading this, then it's likely that you're ready to make a change in systems. We share the fastest way to figure out the best EMR out of two or more options.
Choosing a low-cost, high-quality EMR is a decision that many healthcare providers face. To make the best decision on an EHR, you must consider implementation, customization, customer service, productivity, technology, and financial impact. What are your dealbreakers? What will the system cost in 5 years? What are other people saying about it? Do your values align with your vendor's values? Can you use a custom biller with this system? Keep all of these things in mind to make the best decision!
Implementation
First, consider implementation. Is this company easy to work with? Do they have a low-cost implementation consultant, or are you expected to take on the burden yourself? The more hands-on help your vendor provides during installation and rollout, the better.
Customization
Secondly, think about customization. How customizable is the system itself? It's best if it can be tweaked without much trouble from programmers - after all, everyone has their own unique needs! What custom modules are available for purchase through your EHR provider? Does that ratchet up costs quickly? Can you use an existing third party app instead of buying one directly from them?
Customer service
Next consider customer service. Will there always be someone online who can answer questions about how everything works within (even late at night)? When you're up and running, is there a help desk you can call for problems? And finally, do they have an adequate knowledge base so that you don't always have to contact customer service in the first place?
Productivity
Then turn your attention to productivity. How will this system impact your team's ability to see patients and input data? Can you easily track patient encounters and view results within the system itself without having to export data into another program or use outside consultants? Will your billing be streamlined with fewer errors because all of the information is entered into one place during care instead of scattered among different software programs?
Technology
After productivity comes technology. Is it user-friendly enough that most people on your staff will be able to navigate it without too much trouble (or training)? Are reports easy to generate and understand? Will you be able to access your EHR from any computer or mobile device, or are there compatibility issues you need to worry about?
Financial impact
Finally, think about the financial impact. How much will this system cost in total over the next five years? What kind of licensing agreements are available - subscription-based, perpetual license, etc.? Is there a way to upgrade as your needs change without spending too much extra money?
By considering all of these factors on a decision matrix, you can make the best decision for your practice! Figure out how each factor weighs into your decision – seriously, give it a number. Then for each vendor you're considering, rate them on that number. That way, you can calculate quantitatively just how good of a fit your vendor is with you.
Along with these evaluation criteria, make sure your practice isn't caught in a bind with hidden costs and penalties as the years go on. In some cases, you may have no choice but to switch from one system or vendor to another if they don't meet your criteria down the road - so get informed early.
You should also specify your dealbreakers early on in the process. Does each vendor meet you where your practice is? What are other people saying about it? Do your values align with your vendor's values? Can you use a custom biller with this system or is one available to purchase from them specifically? Keep all of these things in mind as you make the best decision for yourself and those who work with you!
Remember, when you are deciding on an EMR, low-cost and high-quality are not mutually exclusive. You can have the best of both worlds by considering everything on a decision matrix. Keep all of these things in mind to make the best decision!
Now that you know how to make the best decision on an EMR using a quick guide, what's stopping you from choosing your perfect system today? Maybe you're just not sold on a specific vendor yet. Have you considered Praxis? Praxis is a great fit for a majority of practices. See how we could work together.
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Your one-of-a-kind practice deserves one-of-a-kind software, and that's what you'll find with Praxis EMR. We're not like other electronic health record (EHR) providers who use templates to create their software. Instead, we offer flexible options for your practice to keep up with all the changes in healthcare. Our top medical quality EHR is powered by artificial intelligence so it can provide recommendations based on your best practices, while our customizable scheduler makes sure appointments are never missed! You can schedule a demo or call today to see why every practice needs an EMR like Praxis!
Benefits of Template-Free Charting
Speed
The fastest way to chart today: you literally chart as fast as you think.
Usability
Complete entire complex chart notes with only a few mouse-clicks.
Medical Quality
Praxis EMR continually refines your approach to medicine.
Revenue
Better medical quality improves productivity and your bottom line.
The Praxis EMR Experience
Practice Medicine Your Own Way.
Protection
Quality documentation is the best defense in a legal proceeding.
As you begin to use a new EHR system, you should anticipate a great deal of learning. You may be questioning what to expect from your new EHR. With these 3 tips for going live with a new EHR, you will be set for success.
Whether you're digitilizing your practice's medical records for the first time or switching to a new electronic health records system, you should be familiar with what highs and lows to expect during the process. It's an exciting time to be working with a new system, especially if you're switching to an EMR that promises to save you time. However, there will inevitably be learning curves, potential technology hiccups, and a new experience for your patients.
Sometimes it gets worse before it gets better – but it doesn't have to be that way. If you or your staff are not fully ready for the new system, it could impact your practice's productive hours. If this happens, you may notice during bookkeeping that your practice's revenue dropped due to seeing less patients. Since you and your staff will be adjusting to new processes for recordkeeping, your regular patients may notice that too.
These tips will help you minimize the risks of revenue drop for your practice and will help you retain your loyal patients. Ultimately, your new EHR is going to skyrocket your productivity, it's just a matter of getting used to the new waters.
1. Got goals?
This is a great conversation to have with your new EHR provider. What can you realistically expect in the first day, the first week, and the first month of your new EMR implementation? As the head of your practice, it is your responsibility to set these expectations with your front-line staff members. After all, they will be triaging your patients and experiencing this brand-new system.
Your practice is going to be used to doing things the old way, the amount of time it takes, the way to organize data, etc., and need to learn how to adjust to the new way. During your “go-live” period, you can set goals for your patient satisfaction and patient load that are reasonable for your staff members. Consider holding a staff meeting to talk about what the practice will expect after going live.
2. Stop, drop, strategize!
Depending on the status of your current medical records system, you may be in a time pinch to implement as soon as possible – but a “big bang” go-live event is not the only approach. You may want to opt for a phased approach instead. Talk with your EMR provider about different strategies and see what they recommend for your practice.
Each approach comes with its own risks and benefits. Going live all at once could exacerbate on-boarding problems if there are any. On the other hand, a phased approach for a small practice could be frustrating for your staff members, as they try to figure out how to handle each patient. The best thing you can do, as the lead of your practice, is to take what you discover with your new EHR provider and start a conversation with your staff members who will use the tool the most to see what they need. But ultimately, the implementation strategy will be your call to make.
3. Loop in, link up
Whatever you decide, it's critical for your EHR provider and your support staff to be aware of what's going on. When will the implementation occur, and what kind of approach have you chosen? If you're opting for the “big bang”, when will the credentials for your support staff be ready? Will there be a buffer period for your practice to test the system and see how it works? Are there training modules available? When will you allow your staff to access training, if your EHR provides it? The best EMR providers will be able to accommodate training for your staff members and offers live support in case of technical issues.
Be sure to inform any stakeholders of your practice as well, in case the onboarding is a little rocky. Ultimately, they should be supportive of your new system because it will boost your practice's productivity, reduce medical liability, and increase customer satisfaction. It's just about getting there!
All these tips have one central theme: communication. The most successful practice is one that has an open and honest dialogue between owner, staff, stakeholders, and patients. During the process, it's important to be flexible in case issues arise. Most importantly, rely on your new EMR provider. After all, you selected them out of dozens of options because you believed in their ability to render a useful service for your practice. Let them show up for you the way that you need them to.
By the way, that's why it's best to talk with other physicians who have already made the switch. For example, you can find Praxis users and reach out to them about what worked for them, in case you're considering us as your next EMR vendor – plus we'll be more than happy to connect you with them!