Successful EMR Implementation Switching from paper medical records to digital ones is an imminent...
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Successful EMR Implementation Switching from paper medical records to digital ones is an imminent change that U.S. healthcare providers are facing. Here you will see how some fears associated with that change are alleviated, and how a straightforward path to implementation can be defined. Cindi Davis CAP480 Successful EMR Implementation
Successful EMR Implementation Switching from paper medical records to digital ones is an imminent change that U.S. healthcare providers are facing. Here
Successful EMR Implementation Switching from paper medical
records to digital ones is an imminent change that U.S. healthcare
providers are facing. Here you will see how some fears associated
with that change are alleviated, and how a straightforward path to
implementation can be defined. Cindi Davis CAP480 Successful EMR
Implementation
Slide 2
EMR Mandate As we approach the second quarter of 2014,
deadlines for implementation loom. With penalties starting as early
as January 2015, there is literally no time left for
procrastination. Incentives Individual physicians can earn up to
$44,000 in compensation Hospitals can earn a $2 million base amount
plus other fixed amounts. Penalties Incentives cease after 2015
Physicians assessed 1% penalty (reduction in benefit payments) each
year until 5% is reached Hospitals face deductions to benefit
payments on an annual basis. Image 1 Cindi Davis CAP480 Successful
EMR Implementation
Slide 3
Successful Implementation Savings Aside from penalties and
incentives, there are other tangible savings associated with
adoption of electronic medical records. Time Studies show that over
74% of EMR users report an increase in efficiency, saving them an
average of 61 minutes per work day. (Max, 2012) Money Increased
coding accuracy in billing and reimbursement results in revenue
gains Patient numbers can increase due to increased efficiency
Costly materials and transcription staff can be reduced Image 2
Cindi Davis CAP480 Successful EMR Implementation
Slide 4
EMR pays for itself Many small providers feel that the huge
initial investment will hurt tremendously. According to one study,
the average practice paid for its initial and cumulative ongoing
EHR costs within two and a half years and began to reap more than
$23,000 in net benefits per provider per year. ( U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, n.d.) Another benefit, as noted in a
Harvard study, is the potential for reduced malpractice claims. In
fact, the rate of malpractice claims when EMRs were used was about
one-sixth the rate when EMRs were not used. (Quinn, Kats, Kleinman,
Bates & Simon, 2012) Image 3 Cindi Davis CAP480 Successful EMR
Implementation
Slide 5
Improved Quality of Care Many physicians currently using EMR
systems say that have experienced much improvement in their jobs,
and some have even been inspired to re- open closed practices. EMRs
don't just contain or transmit information; they "compute" it, and
can manipulate the data in ways that can benefit the patient. EMRs
Have built-in safeguards against potential adverse effects Support
diagnostic and evidence- based decisions at point of care Provide
clinical alerts and reminders Reduce unnecessary and repeat testing
Image 4 Cindi Davis CAP480 Successful EMR Implementation
Slide 6
Resolving Communications Issues Many caregivers feel that
looking at a computer screen rather than the patient will reduce
communication and the interpersonal experience. One way to address
this issue is to share and explain relevant parts of the EMR with
the patient, such as medication lists and care plans. Another often
mentioned benefit is the secure e-mail system inherent in many
EMRs. They claim that communication in-between visits enhances
their relationship by increasing accessibility to the physician.
Additionally, follow-up reports by the patient can result in
stronger adherence to care plans. (O'Malley, Cohen & Grossman,
2010) Image 6 Cindi Davis CAP480 Successful EMR Implementation
Slide 7
Cloud Solutions A popular solution for small and rural
practices is to choose a cloud-based EMR system, provided they have
reliable Internet access. Many pros are associated with using
cloud-based systems, including: Lower up-front costs No server
hardware to purchase/house/maintain Host companies typically
provide better security Vendors more likely to meet HIPAA
requirements Responsibility of meeting Meaningful Use lies with
vendor Potential to work from home In fact, many practices
currently use cloud services unknowingly, as in the case of
multiple offices using a centralized data center. (Polack, 2011)
Top 10 Cloud-based EMRs Image 5 Cindi Davis CAP480 Successful EMR
Implementation
Slide 8
Federal Resources for Rural Providers Many people affected by
the challenges of EMR adoption work in small and rural practices.
They are more likely to face inadequate Internet access, lack of
skilled IT staff, and insufficient financial capital. Fortunately,
the U.S. Government has several resources designed specifically for
rural caregivers. These include: Regional Extension Centers which
provide training, support, and technical services. Rural Assistance
Center which offers free services regarding programs and funding.
Community College Consortium which offers non-degree Health IT
training programs that can be completed in six months. Rural Health
Care Pilot Program which attempts to create a nationwide broadband
network dedicated to health care, connecting public and private
nonprofit health care providers in rural and urban locations
Regional Extension Centers Rural Assistance Center Community
College Consortium Cindi Davis CAP480 Successful EMR
Implementation
Slide 9
The Patients Perspective Many patients have experienced
improvements from providers use of EMRs. Cited amongst these are:
Ability to analyze data and see trends in personal health history
No redundant data entry or insurance forms Ability to view lab
results online Having online access to their own records: Increases
their knowledge of their own health Prepares them for office visits
and enabled them to ask more intelligent questions Is a valuable
supplement between visits to remember what was discussed (Terry,
2013) Another interesting aspect is the portable EMR, as
demonstrated in the video and on the website below: Kaiser
Permanente Introduces Portable Electronic Medical Records Portable
EMRs Cindi Davis CAP480 Successful EMR Implementation
Slide 10
Stories of EMR Success Many physicians just cannot say enough
about the benefits they gain from using electronic records. A few
favorites from Dr. James Salwitz and Dr. William Soper: Quality of
medical care is multiplied, probably exponentially, because of
clarity, accuracy, speed and the quality of communication. The time
needed to create extraordinary medical records is cut at least in
half. The EMR allows printing of legible and complete prescriptions
reducing the likelihood for errors. It has made me a better doctor,
reduced my overhead, made my staff happy and pleased my patients.
(Soper, 2002) and (Salwitz, 2014) Cindi Davis CAP480 Successful EMR
Implementation
Slide 11
Biggest Benefits From Successful Implementation Various
resources extoll the virtues of electronic records, from physicians
to patients to hospital stakeholders. Some additional gains not
aforementioned are: Improved coordination of healthcare services
Promoting preventative medicine Better clinical decision making
Higher integrity of records Much easier review of extensive records
Remote access to records (American Psychological Association, 2012)
Image 7
Slide 12
References Image 1 EMRO. (2012). Emr mandate 2014 deadline
penalty. Retrieved from
http://electronicmedicalrecordsmandate.org/electronic-medical-records-
mandate/emr-mandate-2014-deadline
http://electronicmedicalrecordsmandate.org/electronic-medical-records-
mandate/emr-mandate-2014-deadline Image 2 Thorman, C. (2009,
December 22). Dont wait for the government to start your ehr
implementation. Retrieved from
http://blog.softwareadvice.com/articles/medical/dont-wait-for-the-government-
to-start-your-ehr-implementation-1122209/
http://blog.softwareadvice.com/articles/medical/dont-wait-for-the-government-
to-start-your-ehr-implementation-1122209/ Image 3
http://www.visolve.com/healthcare_services/electronic-medical-records/emr-
roi.php Image 4 Jamoom, E., Patel, V., King, J., & Furukawa, M.
(2013, September). Physician experience with electronic health
record systems that meet meaningful use criteria: Namcs physician
workflow survey, 2011. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db129.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db129.htm Image 5
http://www.baptistdocs.com/tools-demos/ehr-in-the-cloud-or-in-your-office/
Image 6 O'Malley, A., Cohen, G., & Grossman, J. (2010,
April).Electronic medical records and communication with patients
and other clinicians: Are we talking less?. Retrieved from
http://www.hschange.com/CONTENT/1125/http://www.hschange.com/CONTENT/1125/
Image 7 Neal, H. (2011, September 9). Benefits of electronic
medical records (emr) software | 2011 physician survey. Retrieved
from
http://blog.softwareadvice.com/articles/medical/benefits-of-emr-software-survey-
1081611/
http://blog.softwareadvice.com/articles/medical/benefits-of-emr-software-survey-
1081611/ Cindi Davis CAP480 Successful EMR Implementation
Slide 13
References U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
(n.d.).How can a return on investment arise from an ehr
implementation?. Retrieved from
http://www.hrsa.gov/healthit/toolbox/Childrenstoolbox/DevelopingPediatricEHRs/roifromehr.htmlhttp://www.hrsa.gov/healthit/toolbox/Childrenstoolbox/DevelopingPediatricEHRs/roifromehr.html
Quinn, M., Kats, A., Kleinman, K., Bates, D., & Simon, S.
(2012, August 13). The relationship between electronic health
records and malpractice claims. Retrieved from
http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1203517http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1203517
Soper, W. (2002, October). Why i love my emr. Retrieved from
http://thepcmh.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/why_I_love_my_emr.28571631.pdf
http://thepcmh.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/why_I_love_my_emr.28571631.pdf
Salwitz, J. (2014). Actually, i love my emr. Retrieved from
http://thehealthcareblog.com/blog/2014/01/13/actually-i-love-my-emr/http://thehealthcareblog.com/blog/2014/01/13/actually-i-love-my-emr/
Polack, P. (2011, May 18). Pros and cons of cloud based or web
based emr systems. Retrieved from
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/05/pros-cons-cloud-based-web-based-emr-systems.html
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/05/pros-cons-cloud-based-web-based-emr-systems.html
Terry, K. (2013, April 2). Patients like online health records
access, study says. Retrieved from
http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/electronic-health-records/patients-like-online-health-records-access-study-
says/d/d-id/1109360?
http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/electronic-health-records/patients-like-online-health-records-access-study-
says/d/d-id/1109360 American Psychological Association. (2012,
May). The advantages of electronic health records. Retrieved from
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/05/electronic-records.aspx
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/05/electronic-records.aspx Max.
(2012, October 10). Future of medical records now on a tablet.
Retrieved from http://www.ipadenclosures.com/blog/posts/future-of-
medical-records-now-on-a-tablethttp://www.ipadenclosures.com/blog/posts/future-of-
medical-records-now-on-a-tablet Cindi Davis CAP480 Successful EMR
Implementation