What should a practice look for when purchasing an EHR?
Let’s face it, purchasing an electronic health record (EHR) can be daunting. It’s not a decision you want to make hastily, especially when you’re just starting out and opening your own medical practice. Why? Your EHR system is what you’ll use to capture important clinical information about your patients. It’s what will help you achieve financial incentives payments. It will allow you to communicate with others to better coordinate patient care or even prevent medical errors — and so much more. The right EHR is what will help your medical practice run smoothly. A wrong decision could cost you in many ways — lost productivity, lost revenue, and patient dissatisfaction are just a few examples. Doing your homework before making any decisions can pay dividends.
Here are 13 questions to consider.
Is the EHR cloud-based? Cloud-based EHR systems have many advantages, including simplified scalability, superior accessibility, and faster implementation. In contrast, client-server systems require onsite servers as well as hardware and software installed in your medical practice. Which option is better for you?, b
Is the EHR customizable? This is a critical question. Some EHRs force providers into certain workflows or require them to use rigid templates while others provide customizable features so physicians and others can document encounters, bill services, and generate reports in a way that works best for them. Ask yourself, will the EHR adapt to you, or must your medical practice conform to it? them.
How easy is it to provide a telehealth visit? Does the EHR system easily integrate with a telehealth solution so you can document virtual patient visits side-by-side with telemedicine solutions and seamlessly bill for your services?
Is the EHR certified by an authorized certification body? For example, is it Surescripts, DEA, and ONC-certified for security and peace of mind?
What specialties does the EHR support? Does it work in tandem with unique, specialty-specific workflows? Does it include specialty-specific templates?
Does the EHR help you strengthen patient relationships? Does it promote patient empowerment, and improve the patient experience? For example, does it include a patient portal that allows patients to schedule appointments, view documents, and pay bills when it’s convenient for them? Does it provide patients with electronic appointment reminders and prescription renewal notifications? Can patients complete the intake process using their mobile device?
What technical support does the EHR vendor provide? Does it provide unlimited support at no cost, or is there a separate fee for that support? Where is the customer support team based? Are they based solely in the United States, or does the EHR vendor outsource its support offshore?
Will the EHR system help you capture financial incentive payments? Is the EHR MIPS-certified to help you meet your incentive-based goals? Will it also help you manage population health to achieve other value-based care initiatives?
What type of reports can you generate? For example, can you create and run ad-hoc reports, build custom reports and easily share reports with others?
Is the EHR system integrated with a practice management system? With an integrated solution, front office and clinical staff have access to the exact same data for a smooth and efficient transition from patient scheduling and check-in to encounters and billing.
What will you pay? Are there predictable costs, or might you need to budget for a different amount each month? Are upgrades provided at no additional cost? Are you charged software license fees for non-prescribing medical staff?
What type of training is included? Is it self-paced modules, or will you be able to participate in live training where staff can ask questions?
What does the EHR do to promote increased efficiency and patient safety? For example, can you stay connected on-the-go with a mobile app? Are you able to easily and safely prescribe medications electronically? What about safely and securely sharing real-time clinical data with patients and other clinicians? Can you place lab orders and receive results right in your patient’s chart? Can you securely send, receive, and organize faxes within the EHR? What about safely prescribe opioids using integrated PDMP access?
This list of questions is truly only a starting point that can help you narrow down the EHR vendors on your shortlist. You’ll want to ask more detailed questions and even talk to current customers to get a better sense of what you can expect. Ideally, your EHR partner is just that — a partner; a company you can trust wholeheartedly and that has your medical practice’s best interests in mind. It’s a big decision, and it’s one that deserves your time and attention. We can help you sort it all out. Learn more at https://www.edgemed.com/electronic-health-records.
