The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (also known as the "Federal Stimulus Program") has put electronic medical records (also known as EMR or EHR Software) on the map like never before. Previously the product of choice for bigger healthcare concerns such as hospitals and HMOs, smaller clinics and single doctor practices are now looking at adopting EMR systems in larger numbers than ever before.
Despite reports to the contrary, EMR software isn't just for huge organizations that benefit from "economies of scale". In fact, smaller practices have seen the huge advantages of EMR, and are reaping the benefits.
1) Workflow Gets Better - One of the vital things about this type of software, is the way it can be customized for any type of clinic. The EMR software developer will take the time to help the business owner develop a operations scheme that maximizes efficiency in the office. Users will be able to process records and files faster and more efficiently. Incorporating these systems is truly the best way to increase daily productivity.
2. Storage Room - Just like time, if there's something the single doctor medical practice or clinic probably doesn't have an embarrassment of riches with, it's space. Paper medical records can fill up a whole lot of space. Often they have a huge footprint, especially in a practice with a smaller office. At the same time, electronic medical records are completely portable, and are stored on a database, accessible via network within the office. No longer is it required to have a special room for medical records. By going electronic, the amount of storage is greatly reduced.
3) Better Accuracy - Digital records are created using a somewhat rigid interface which allows for less mistakes. Completing paperwork by hand can lead to mistakes because some people have handwriting that is difficult to decipher. This can cause a misunderstanding when someone else reads them. Everything that is entered into the electronic medical records system will be presented in the same format, so any missing or incorrect information is more easily noticed.
4) Secure Access to Files from Anywhere - In the recent past, physician kept themselves locked more in the office than anywhere else, but this is no longer true. Practitioners today spend a lot of time traveling between multiple office locations, medical facilities and outcalls. By going electronic, clinicians can easily gain access to patient records instantly as long as they can get a cellular or WIFI signal. This will save a fortune in hiring couriers to transport files from location to location.
5) Save Money with EMR Software - The time is now to make the switch to EMR. The recent Federal Stimulus Program has reserved payments that include rebates of $44,000 in Medicare and up to $64,000 in Medicaid for offices that adopt a digital record keeping system. These incentives will be in effect until 2015. When that time comes around, practices still haven't gone digital will be subject to Medicare and Medicaid penalties.
The government subsidies coupled with the need to avoid Medicare penalties should be enough to convince any doctor to move their practice to electronic medical records now.
Despite reports to the contrary, EMR software isn't just for huge organizations that benefit from "economies of scale". In fact, smaller practices have seen the huge advantages of EMR, and are reaping the benefits.
1) Workflow Gets Better - One of the vital things about this type of software, is the way it can be customized for any type of clinic. The EMR software developer will take the time to help the business owner develop a operations scheme that maximizes efficiency in the office. Users will be able to process records and files faster and more efficiently. Incorporating these systems is truly the best way to increase daily productivity.
2. Storage Room - Just like time, if there's something the single doctor medical practice or clinic probably doesn't have an embarrassment of riches with, it's space. Paper medical records can fill up a whole lot of space. Often they have a huge footprint, especially in a practice with a smaller office. At the same time, electronic medical records are completely portable, and are stored on a database, accessible via network within the office. No longer is it required to have a special room for medical records. By going electronic, the amount of storage is greatly reduced.
3) Better Accuracy - Digital records are created using a somewhat rigid interface which allows for less mistakes. Completing paperwork by hand can lead to mistakes because some people have handwriting that is difficult to decipher. This can cause a misunderstanding when someone else reads them. Everything that is entered into the electronic medical records system will be presented in the same format, so any missing or incorrect information is more easily noticed.
4) Secure Access to Files from Anywhere - In the recent past, physician kept themselves locked more in the office than anywhere else, but this is no longer true. Practitioners today spend a lot of time traveling between multiple office locations, medical facilities and outcalls. By going electronic, clinicians can easily gain access to patient records instantly as long as they can get a cellular or WIFI signal. This will save a fortune in hiring couriers to transport files from location to location.
5) Save Money with EMR Software - The time is now to make the switch to EMR. The recent Federal Stimulus Program has reserved payments that include rebates of $44,000 in Medicare and up to $64,000 in Medicaid for offices that adopt a digital record keeping system. These incentives will be in effect until 2015. When that time comes around, practices still haven't gone digital will be subject to Medicare and Medicaid penalties.
The government subsidies coupled with the need to avoid Medicare penalties should be enough to convince any doctor to move their practice to electronic medical records now.
About the Author:
Benefiting from best of breed electronic medical records is a lot simpler than you might think. Check out http://www.electronicmedicalrecords.org/ for a variety of tips on how to choose a vendor, how to best benefit from government incentives, and how the best EMR can pay for itself immediately.
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