Electronic medical records, also called electronic health records, have been used by many HMO providers and large hospitals for many years. EMR, or EHR, software enables large companies to track, access and easily use medical records. What's new is that smaller medical clinics and offices across the country are now starting to reap the benefits of adopting this technology.
Despite what many practitioners think, EMR software isn't just for huge organizations that benefit from "economies of scale". In fact, smaller practices have discovered the huge advantages of EMR, and are cutting costs and growing profits as a result. Some these include:
#1 - Efficient Workflow - Before adopting the program, EMR developers will work cooperatively with the doctor-owner to build a system that is customized to the practice. Workflow will maximize efficiency. Every task will be streamlined to allow the user to make great productivity gains. Most medical office owners notice an increase in productivity during the work day when these systems are a key part of the practice.
#2 - Increase Work Space - Most single practitioner clinics are small and there is almost never enough room for the massive paperwork a typical office deals with in a day. Paper records are bulky and require a lot of space to store. A fledgling office can be quickly overwhelmed as it gets bigger. There are always some records that will have to be kept on paper, but with an electronic database you can drastically cut the use of paper in any medical practice. Needed information can be accessed by anyone in the practice that has a computer hooked up to the network.
#3 - Fewer Errors in Records - Paper records are always vulnerable to errors. No matter how hard a person tries, errors can be made. Anything that is copied by hand is subject to mistakes. Sometimes unreadable cursive can lead to mistakes or a misunderstanding between coworkers. Anything entered into the electronic medical records system is subject to the same format, so all records are consistent. Typos are easier to pick out and correct.
4. Transportability - Today's physician is always on the go. Long gone are the days when a doctor is in the office 95% of the day. With outcalls, multi-practice setups and in-hospital consultations, today's doctor has to be able to access his patient records immediately, and often remotely. Electronic medical records makes this happen securely, and with real efficiency. Using a simple laptop or smart phone, a physician can check out medical histories, supplement notes or arrange appointments - all from a remote location. The courier costs alone provide huge ROI.
5) Get Payments with EMR Software - The time has never been better to make the switch to EMR. The recent Federal Stimulus Program has allocated funds that offer rebates of $44,000 in Medicare and up to $64,000 in Medicaid for offices that adopt a digital record keeping system. These incentives will be in effect until 2015. At that time, practices that maintain paper filing systems will be subject to Medicare and Medicaid payment reductions.
The choice is simple. The payout is huge for medical practitioners who start adopting EMR products because government incentives will pay for these systems. Doctors that act now will avoid penalties for taking to long to go with the flow.
Despite what many practitioners think, EMR software isn't just for huge organizations that benefit from "economies of scale". In fact, smaller practices have discovered the huge advantages of EMR, and are cutting costs and growing profits as a result. Some these include:
#1 - Efficient Workflow - Before adopting the program, EMR developers will work cooperatively with the doctor-owner to build a system that is customized to the practice. Workflow will maximize efficiency. Every task will be streamlined to allow the user to make great productivity gains. Most medical office owners notice an increase in productivity during the work day when these systems are a key part of the practice.
#2 - Increase Work Space - Most single practitioner clinics are small and there is almost never enough room for the massive paperwork a typical office deals with in a day. Paper records are bulky and require a lot of space to store. A fledgling office can be quickly overwhelmed as it gets bigger. There are always some records that will have to be kept on paper, but with an electronic database you can drastically cut the use of paper in any medical practice. Needed information can be accessed by anyone in the practice that has a computer hooked up to the network.
#3 - Fewer Errors in Records - Paper records are always vulnerable to errors. No matter how hard a person tries, errors can be made. Anything that is copied by hand is subject to mistakes. Sometimes unreadable cursive can lead to mistakes or a misunderstanding between coworkers. Anything entered into the electronic medical records system is subject to the same format, so all records are consistent. Typos are easier to pick out and correct.
4. Transportability - Today's physician is always on the go. Long gone are the days when a doctor is in the office 95% of the day. With outcalls, multi-practice setups and in-hospital consultations, today's doctor has to be able to access his patient records immediately, and often remotely. Electronic medical records makes this happen securely, and with real efficiency. Using a simple laptop or smart phone, a physician can check out medical histories, supplement notes or arrange appointments - all from a remote location. The courier costs alone provide huge ROI.
5) Get Payments with EMR Software - The time has never been better to make the switch to EMR. The recent Federal Stimulus Program has allocated funds that offer rebates of $44,000 in Medicare and up to $64,000 in Medicaid for offices that adopt a digital record keeping system. These incentives will be in effect until 2015. At that time, practices that maintain paper filing systems will be subject to Medicare and Medicaid payment reductions.
The choice is simple. The payout is huge for medical practitioners who start adopting EMR products because government incentives will pay for these systems. Doctors that act now will avoid penalties for taking to long to go with the flow.
About the Author:
Getting your practice started with emr software is a lot simpler than you might think. Check out http://www.electronicmedicalrecords.org/ for a variety of tips on how to choose a vendor, how to best benefit from government incentives, and how the best EMR can pay for itself immediately.
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