Planning For Efficiency - Electronic Medical Record System Adoption And You

Financially, it has never been simpler for the small clinic to purchase and start using an EMR system. This is very much due to the recent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which includes an incentive plan that provides doctors who demonstrate "meaningful use" of EMR software $44,000 to $64,000 in Medicare or Medicaid payments. The idea: install electronic medical records in your practice now, and the Government will essentially pay (over time) for adoption.

The stimulus plan is a win-win for both practitioners and the Healthcare industry. Doctors get the ability to experience new practice efficiencies, as does the industry itself. But taking on an electronic medical record system is more than just an "install and go" process. In order to provide its best potential, an EMR adoption plan must be made, and it must be very thorough and exact.

Fact: 9 of 10 EMR software vendors would love to sell you an EMR system and then make a run for it. And frankly, many developers actually WILL do this. But the provider of a real product with real training and support understands that designing a plan for adoption is critical to not only your use of an electronic medical records program, but to potential future sales.

Electronic medical record system adoption plans will typically feature these important criteria:

Reengaging Workflow - Electronic medical record systems are so much more than small-time software programs - they are, in effect, a different way of running your practice. The way staff checks in, arranges and works with patients and their patient records will change completely. Paper is no longer a problem for the paperless clinic, and getting used to this is not a easy concept for many office managers. Designing a good workflow process that works for all staff is a keystone of any top-notch vendor.

Develop A Training Program That Works For You - No matter how great your electronic medical record system is, without training, your entire staff will be unhappy. The short term benefits of high quality training means that your staff can "take the training wheels" off early, and get the benefits (and return on investment) that a good EMR software system can provide. The longer term benefits include the ability to "self-train" new staff, better feelings towards the software and good morale overall. Remember also that training typically can be via Internet, at a remote location or at your practice. Each has its advantages, so weigh them carefully.

Discover A Mentor - Nothing is more advantageous to the installation and training process for your staff than having a mentor that can assist them with the EMR software. If you currently have a computer-friendly staff member that works well with others, you may be able to appoint this person as a key mentor early on in the process. Once the mentor is appointed, he or she must work to learn the most knowledge about the EMR system in order to aid the rest of the staff with difficulties. The earlier you "develop" this mentor, the more support costs your practice will save down the line.

If you're new to EMR software now, know that it is far more functional, and at times complex than the simple office applications you might work with today. Start with a plan, however, and your electronic medical record system will provide efficiencies quicker than you might think.