Choosing an EMR system tailored to your practice is a big step forward. In this post, we provide tips to help you choose the best one.
The future of healthcare is digital and small medical practices are getting on board. Outdated paper records simply can't compete with the efficiency and versatility of electronic medical records (EMR). With the right EMR system, small medical practices can build complete patient profiles, reduce errors, and offer seamless coordinated care across all points of contact. However, not all EMR systems are created equal.
Finding the right fit takes time and thought. Between optimizing workflows, picking features, and costs, implementation can feel too steep. But with so many EMR options out there, your perfect solution is waiting.
Patient care matters too much to settle. Finding a platform that sets your practice up for success is crucial and moving to EMR starts a new chapter of care. With the right research, this change can result in your practice achieving better health outcomes.
Understanding EMR Software and Its Significance for Small Practices
An electronic medical record (EMR) system digitizes patient health information like medical history, exam notes, test results, treatment plans, prescriptions, etc. EMR replaces the traditional paper records and allows easy storage, retrieval, and sharing of patient information across healthcare settings. EMR strives to improve access to patient data and streamline clinical workflows.
An EMR system can:
- Capture and document patient data like demographics, history, vitals, meds, allergies, diagnoses, procedures, lab work, and imaging reports.
- Support clinical decision-making, like providing alerts, reminders, guidelines, and recommendations.
- Facilitate communication and coordination, including secure messaging, data sharing, and system integration.
- Generate and manage prescriptions, referrals, orders, and billing codes.
- Engage patients through portals, online scheduling, and telehealth.
EMR systems can greatly enhance care and efficiency, especially for small practices. Benefits include:
- Improved quality and safety by reducing errors, omissions, and duplication. EMR systems also boost data accuracy, completeness, and consistency. It can prevent prescription mistakes, reactions, and infections by providing alerts and warnings.
- Increased productivity and profitability by saving time, money, and resources. EMR systems streamline workflow, automate tasks, and eliminate paperwork to reduce overhead. It can also optimize billing and coding to increase reimbursement and reduce claim denials and audits.
- Better patient satisfaction and loyalty, which eventually means more retention and referrals. Online services like appointment scheduling, prescription refills, and messaging make care more accessible, convenient, and comfortable for patients.
Assessing Your Practice's Needs
Every practice has unique needs and workflows. One key step in finding the right EMR system is thoroughly assessing your practice's specific needs and challenges. Your priorities, preferences, as well as expectations likely differ from a larger practice. That's why you should closely analyze your current situation and future goals, then pinpoint the exact requirements your EMR system must meet. When evaluating systems, first outline the must-have features based on your specialty, services, patients, and objectives. Consider:
Scalability and Customization
As a small practice, your resources and staff may be limited, but expansion plans might be in your future. That's one reason your EMR system must be scalable and adaptable as demands and needs change, without compromising care quality or raising costs. You also need a customizable EMR system that fits your workflows and preferences, not the other way around.
Specialty-Specific Features
As a small practice, you probably have a very specific area of focus. So, you need an EMR system tailored to the unique terminology, forms, codes, and workflows of your specialty. Look for systems with specialty-specific features like clinical content, reports, and analytics. Your system should support your specialty's standards and certifications as well.
Key Features to Look For
Once you've assessed your needs, pinpoint the key features your EMR system should have. Different systems offer varying features, so compare options to your needs. Consider:
- User-friendly interface and ease of use, so you and your staff can navigate and customize the system without extensive training or technical skills. Fast, reliable performance is also a must.
- Integration abilities with billing, scheduling, lab, as well as other systems to streamline workflow and prevent duplicate data entry. It should also integrate with other provider EMR systems and health information exchanges to securely share patient data.
- Strong security and compliance with regulations like HIPAA and GDPR to protect patient data. Look for robust privacy and security capabilities.
- Support and training options to help you use the system effectively and offer guidance before, during, and after implementation.
Evaluating Cost and ROI
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an EMR system for your small medical practice is the cost and return on investment (ROI) of the system. EMR systems will have different pricing models, total costs of ownership, and possible benefits, and you should evaluate these aspects carefully and compare them with your budget and goals.
Be sure to consider:
- Pricing models (EMR systems may use one of two pricing models: perpetual license or subscription license)
- One-time setup and implementation fees
- Costs for data migration, training, customization
- Hardware and IT infrastructure requirements
The total cost of ownership will not be the same for every EMR system and will vary widely. You should estimate the total cost of ownership of each EMR system that you are interested in and compare it with your anticipated benefits and savings. Also, evaluate return on investment. The ROI can help you measure the financial value and impact of an EMR system on your practice performance and profitability. While costs may be high during the early stages, a few benefits like better billing, reduced paperwork, and time savings can generate a positive ROI.
Researching and Comparing EMR Vendors
Research multiple EMR vendors to find one that fulfills your needs. In fact, reviews and feedback from other small practices already using the systems you're considering can be extremely helpful. When researching and comparing, look at:
- Pricing and contract options
- Capabilities for your specialty
- Integration abilities and API offerings
- Company reputation and longevity
- Types of support and training offered
Conducting Demos and Free Trials
Demos and free trials are crucial when evaluating an EMR system. Schedule demos with top contenders. Come prepared with questions and have them walk you through the system. You can also request a trial version for hands-on experience. While trials require setup and configuration work, they let you test drive the system and access key resources to inform your decision.
Making the Final Decision
Consider the pros and cons of the EMR systems you tested. Weigh factors like usability, integration, vendor reputation, training, and support. Get buy-in from your staff — use surveys, polls, or interviews to gather their feedback and preferences. Once you decide, start negotiating final contract terms like length, costs, as well as rollout timeline.
Planning for Implementation and Training
A strategic rollout plan is key to EMR success. Schedule plenty of training to get your staff up to speed on workflow changes. You don't have to go at it alone — ask your vendor for support before, during, and after you get the go-ahead to go live. It also helps to clean up existing patient data before migrating to the new system. With proper planning and training, your staff will get up to speed quickly. Before you know it, you'll be using your EMR system to enhance efficiency, care coordination, and health outcomes.
Get More From Your EMR System By Integrating With BillFlash
Choosing an EMR tailored to your practice is a big step forward. In the long run, it pays off through tighter care coordination, cost savings, and better revenue cycle management. The key is finding a system tailored to your workflow, specialty, and budget. Researching options, comparing vendors, and planning implementation help ensure success.
To fully benefit from your EMR system, integrate it with BillFlash. Our platform was designed to integrate seamlessly with your EMR system to provide customized billing, payment processing, and collection services to reduce administrative hassles and help you get paid faster.