More than One Good Reason to Change EHRs
We have all made snap purchases and then realized that the product may not meet our needs. When it comes to an EHR, though, that snap decision may have been costly to your practice. Some EHRs are accumulating dust or being minimally used, only for the practice to revert back to paper charting, or really never abandoning paper charts at all. Practices need to weight the decision that went into initial purchase with the time and investment of replacing of a new system. When it becomes more painful to stay with your EHR system, isn't it time to consider replacing it with an integrated solution?
Lessons learned with EHRs - what went wrong
You are now an expert on what went wrong with your EHR purchase. The valued lesson is what you learned from your experience – no matter if it is good or bad. When consider a replacement for your EHR, assess your practice needs first! The critical question needs to be asked – what went wrong? Did it cost too much to maintain the system? Did we have issues with the system – what limited us from excellent patient care? Did we receive the support we needed during implementation, training and beyond?
One size doesn't fit all
As a specialty practice, one size doesn’t fit all. For that, some EHR vendors have developed a cookie cutter approach in managing patient data, charting and clinical management. For your practice, does it make sense that the EHR works for you and not the other way around? If an EHR is enough flexible to address your workflows and the customizations that you need for your specialty, wouldn’t you consider
Replacing your current system?
Every medical practice continues to need adequate documentation in patient care while facilitating greater revenue management efficiencies and tracking clinical outcomes within a practice. If you are a practice that has dissimilar solutions for Practice Management, Revenue Cycle Management, and EMR, the maintenance on the software can be costly. Today, EHRs have integrated suites of intelligent software applications that provide a comprehensive approach to patient care. How does your current system compare?Advancing when you Advance
If your EHR is only certified for Stage 1 Meaningful Use, by 2014, you will need to be looking for another EHR solution. Your practice needs to go beyond Meaningful Use 2 and your need an EHR solution that will get you there. Evaluate the vendor and ask the critical question regarding interoperability – it the vendor can’t answer it, move on.
While looking to provide value to your operations, a web-based seamless EHR can be the right investment. There is very little value these days in a physician practice if you don't optimize your asset. With patients having the opportunity to direct their care; how you provide patient care is now your asset. The value that a web-based integrated EHR brings to the practice is:
- Increased cash flow - having the ability to track all charges that you perform
- Reducing overhead expense – seamlessly integrating your Practice Management, Revenue Management, and medical records into one cost efficient system.
- Improving Accounts Receivable - having the ability to improve the management of posting revenue and of tracking all outstanding balance.
In the current healthcare environment, a physician practice needs to be operating at optimum performance to remain viable and competitive. Your practice can now become your best asset with the right EHR. To maximize value and optimization for your practice, a web-based integrated EHR can provide you positive options when the alternative is risky and not as simple.