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Implementation of EMR between doctor’s offices and hospitals is the wave of the future.  Now with government support and agreement of the need: Physicians and Practice Managers

The Pros Outweigh the Cons

To go digital, records will be available 24/7.  Practices can reduce redundant labor, decrease storage space and essentially eliminate the majority of chart pulls and storage.  One of the few bi-partisan agreements in 2009 was the Obama administration’s designated $19.5 billion to expand the use of electronic records.  Under the stimulus program hospitals and physicians can receive significant financial assistance for IT purchases and will be penalized if they do not go digital by 2015. In August, the US Health and Human Services Department made it easier for hospitals and doctors to collaborate technology initiatives.  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Office of the Inspector General relaxed Stark and anti-kickback rules.  Hospitals are now allowed to donate EMR software and equipment to physician officers as long as the physicians pay 15% of the total cost. Many studies have concluded that after the initial expense for equipment and a 6 to 9 month time frame for scanning records and staff training, EMR saves time, space, and reduces errors.

Of course, as with any new technology, there remain some serious issues that need resolution.  The major concerns appear to be standardization of connectivity and network management, system backups, staff training, and patient privacy. The state of Delaware has made great strides by installing the Delaware Health Information Network (DIHN), which will enables hospitals, labs and medical practices to transfer patient records, regardless of the computerized system.  DHIN is the first fully operational statewide information exchange system.  Of course undertaking a project of this magnitude requires oversight and training by a professional management company.  One company, Cerner offers reasonably priced leased hardware options, as well as, teams of trainers and consultants to coach and edit physicians and staffs.  This will insure that practices will maximize the usefulness of EMR, maintain standards, privacy, and patient satisfaction and be eligible for the stimulus monies while avoiding penalties.

By. Kemal Erkan - CEO