EMR Selection and Implementation

Pre-purchase tips

Follow the steps listed below in order to select an EMR that works for you

1. List your high-priority needs.

It is imperative that any thing that saves time and improves quality is a good place to start. Users should also be specific about the recurring instances of wasted time (pulling charts or calling pharmacy), lost money (under-coding), diminished quality, and personal frustration that plague their practice most and include those items that will help alleviate these.

2. List the EMR features and ancillary or indirect requirements most likely to meet those needs.

Consider feature functionality and cost of the EMR System as well as support provided by the EMR vendor and strategic direction of the vendor vis-à-vis the product. You may also consider the market penetration of the vendor. Ensure that the EMR System is compatible with the Practice Management System that you currently use.

3. Think about future requirements

Even though you may not have any significant changes on the horizon, it is important to consider changes most likely to the organization: addition of new or termination of existing providers, adding new specialty, any possibility of sharing records with external parties (hospitals), etc.

4. Engage with an independent revenue cycle management company with EMR consulting expertise to draft a Request for Proposal (RFP)

Use the consulting experience of the selected revenue cycle management company to put together a RFP and create a shortlist of select EMRs. If you have the time to visit multiple tradeshows and conferences to separate grain from the chaff, you could also do it yourself. However, remember to consider the other applications that

5. Get a buy-in from all the parties involved (providers and staff)

As they say ‘to change is difficult but not to change is fatal’. EMR implementation will hit roadblocks if the providers are not committed to making it successful by entering the required data. As the EMR repository gathers data, it becomes easier to see trends and analyze the efficacy of clinical processes. Another area that needs attention is the workflow through the clinic which is bound to change when EMR is implemented. Identify a champion who will bring along all the providers and the staff.

6. Choose the desired method to get the data into the EMR System.

There are at least two ways to get the data into the EMR System – you could either use keyboard and mouse or stylus and touch screen depending upon your comfort level. If you are not sure which one you are going to use, shortlist those EMR Systems that have the capabilities to switch easily between both.

7. Test drive each system using common scenarios

Once you and your EMR consulting company have shortlisted a couple of EMRs, follow through with a demo of each shortlisted EMR. Allow for sufficient time so that you can simulate some real life scenario of documenting a patient visit. All EMR vendors who are selected should be put through similar sequence of steps.

8. Decide if you want to go in for a local server based installation or an ASP (web) based application.

Read more about this in ‘Server-based or Web-based’.

9. Obtain two or three references from each shortlisted vendor.

Ensure that the references are from a Practice of similar size and specialty. It is preferable to have the references in the same geography so that you and your staff can visit the reference facility and see the EMR system being used in day to day operation.

10. Score competing candidates.

Score each vendor whose reference is satisfactory on pre-defined features and scale. Assign appropriate weights to each feature functionality.

11. Fully develop initial implementation plan and technical support with the selected vendor.

Insist on a completely defined implementation plan including development and testing of all external interfaces including billing software.
PMP can make the selection and implementation of the EMR System for your Practice a breeze. So why not contact us today, you have nothing to lose, but only to gain, and that’s our promise to you.