If your electronic health record (EHR) system is difficult to use, slow, or time-consuming, it may be hampering your practice's efficiency and productivity. The core purpose of EHRs is to streamline patient visits, provide better records of care, reduce errors, ensure clarity of records, and make medical histories more readily available. Interoperability between systems is also a key benefit. Many healthcare providers who adopted EHRs when they were a relatively new technology are now missing out on these advantages and advanced features available in modern systems.
Today's EHR solutions boast a wide array of useful tools that seamlessly integrate with other essential software like labs, billing, coding services, and more. If your current system is outdated or its templates don't meet your needs and expectations, it could be time to consider switching EHR vendors.
Evaluating If It's Time for a New EHR
Before deciding to make the switch, carefully assess if your existing EHR hits the mark by asking yourself:
- Is it expensive to maintain and support?
- Does it truly meet your practice's requirements and expectations?
- Does it include all the features and functions you need for your specialty?
- Is the user experience difficult or cumbersome for you or your staff?
- Does it integrate seamlessly with other key systems like labs, billing, patient portals, etc.?
If you answered no to several of these questions, start researching available EHR systems. Talk with colleagues, watch video reviews, and join online forums to get real users' opinions on what they like and dislike about various platforms.
What to Look for in a New EHR System
When evaluating potential new EHR solutions, prioritize features like:
- Integrated revenue cycle management (RCM) tools
- Certification for meaningful use incentive programs
- ICD-10/11 code compliance
- Cloud-based for anytime, anywhere access
- Patient portal for streamlined communication
- E-prescribing and electronic prior authorization capabilities
- Specialty-specific functionality suited to your clinical setting
Making the Switch - Is It Worth It?
Once you've identified your ideal EHR requirements, carefully weigh the potential benefits against the costs of transitioning, such as:
- Upfront implementation fees and temporary downtime
- Time/expense for staff training on the new system
- Long-term return on investment from new EHR's advanced capabilities
If the projected payoff outweighs the transition costs, it could be highly worthwhile to upgrade your EHR. Be prepared by designating 1-3 people to head up the change management process. Proper planning, training, and data migration are critical:
- Plan each step thoroughly
- Train extensively on the new system and scenarios that may arise
- Consider closing briefly to focus on training in the final weeks
- Clean up records before migration - don't transfer junk data
- Set a go-live date and adjust schedules accordingly
Applied Medical Systems - Your EHR Integration Partner
Applied Medical Systems has over 30 years of healthcare IT experience to guide you through evaluating and integrating a new EHR. When you outsource billing and coding to Applied Medical Systems, seamless EHR integration is a top priority.
Applied Medical Systems has partnerships with leading EHR vendors and can implement interfaces ranging from simple data exchanges to full bi-directional integrations syncing billing details across both systems. No matter your practice's size or needs, Applied Medical Systems can customize an integrated solution to consolidate your health records, billing, and coding into one cohesive workflow.
Each healthcare organization is unique, and Applied Medical Systems provides flexible, tailored EHR integration aligned with your specific requirements and systems. If you're ready to upgrade to a new EHR optimized for your medical team, lean on Applied Medical Systems's expertise to ensure a smooth transition and maximize return on investment.
Take the first step today - contact Applied Medical Systems to discuss your EHR integration needs.
