As a nationally recognized expert on practice-based computer systems, Ron Sterling has helped many medical practices evaluate whether an EMR investment makes sense (and for some practices, it doesn’t!). From there, he helps them define requirements, choose the right system, get physician and staff buy-in, and take the system “live” as smoothly as possible. Now, in Keys to EMR Success, Sterling translates his experience into a step-by-step process any medical practice can follow with ease, from first considering an EMR, all the way through post-implementation training and updates.
There is no question that the selection and implementation of an EMR is a “bet-the-practice” proposition. If you fail, you end up with more costs and greater frustration. On the other hand, few practices will be able to avoid implementing EMRs as these tools become necessary to meet patient expectations, payer quality requirements and pay-for-performance demands. Keys to EMR Success provides a proven path medical practices can follow with ease – and the confidence they’re making the right decisions about features, vendors, integration with the practice management system, and other critical factors.
This book is particularly valuable because it explores more than just the technology considerations. From common care standards and disease management initiatives, to the HIPAA Transaction Set and Continuity of Care Record, Ron Sterling offers bottom-line perspective on how current industry issues affect EMR decisions. For example, in looking at Pay for Performance, he points out how an EMR can help practices answer Medicare/Medicaid pay-for-performance initiatives — and how payers like BlueCross/BlueShield in Pennsylvania award pay-for-performance points to practices with an EMR.
Another thing that’s unique about this book is that medical practices aren’t squeezed into a “one size fits all” approach. The system works for every practice, but in working through the system, each practice will be able to identify the right EMR for their unique practice. This saves money – you don’t buy features you don’t need, but you don’t overlook features you’ll need down the road, either.
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems can dramatically improve patient care, office workflow, regulatory compliance, and profitability. So what keeps every medical practice from having an EMR? For starters, there is the significant investment and learning curve. Plus, implementing the wrong system can handicap practice growth, patient care and compliance with evolving standards and regulations for years to come. But now, Keys to EMR Success offers medical practices a clear and systematic way to evaluate what an EMR would contribute, choose the best system for today (and down the road), and get it up and integrated with your Practice Management System with a minimum of technical headaches and staff resistance.
NOTEWORTHY FEATURES:
Practice-proven tips and guidance for simplifying each stage of EMR needs analysis, system selection and implementation.
A sharp focus on long-term planning so that the EMR you put in place today can evolve to serve physicians, clinicians, patients, and staff even as technologies, medical standards and regulatory requirements change.
Time-saving facts and figures, including a comprehensive profile of leading EMR vendors, including their CCHIT status, PMS options, key clinical areas and other vital starting-point information.
Fast-track tools such as a ready-to-use implementation plan for assigning tasks and tracking progress, plus a sample EMR activation plan with milestones for everything from when to train doctors and clinicians to when to stop using paper charts.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Should I Invest in an EMR? Who should — and shouldn’t —make the leap.
Chapter 2: Evaluating an EMR Investment How to compare the system’s cost to potential ROI in patient care, document management, compliance, and other key practice areas.
Chapter 3: Your Practice Management System and an EMR Best practices for getting these systems to work together — and with your practice management team.
Chapter 4: Compiling a Practice-Focused Evaluation List How to define requirements and anticipate features you’ll need in the future.
Chapter 5: Selecting Products to Review Narrowing the field of 400 EMR products to find the best candidates for your practice.
Chapter 6: Reviewing Products for Your Practice How to complete due diligence in two months, including what to look in demos.
Chapter 7: Making a Final Decision Using a weighted score system … and asking the right questions about server support, hardware specs, and other potential hidden costs.
Chapter 8: Negotiating a Contract How to avoid tricky situations with warranties, termination clauses, upfront fees, and more.
Chapter 9: Implementing an EMR. From clinical standards and policies, to data conversion and training: who does what, when.
Chapter 10: Activating an EMR How to keep personnel and logistics issues from sabotaging your success with the EMR system.
Chapter 11: Supporting an EMR Maintaining standards (e.g., clinical charting), motivating proficiency, training new employees, and regularly refreshing staff EMR skills.
BONUS!...an EMR glossary and a list of vendors including company names, contact information, certification status, and specialty orientation.
Early Reviews!
“As a healthcare consultant, I have worked with Ron Sterling for over 20 years. He has always been my "go to" person for advanced technology issues facing my clients. He has an amazing ability to comprehend complex IT and healthcare business issues, and then to communicate them to lay persons in a simple -- and often humorous -- manner.”
Barbara J. Grant, CPA, MST
Principal
Gates, Moore & Company
Atlanta, Georgia
“National initiatives to accelerate the adoption of health IT is directly linked to successful implementation of EHR-EMR systems. This book will guide you to a successful implementation.”
Vinson J. Hudson
President/POMIS
Industry Analyst,
Austin, Texas
“This book is an invaluable resource for practices facing the arduous task of choosing and implementing an EMR system. By following Sterling's methodical and detailed approach, the reader is transformed into a more intelligent buyer. The checklists are terrific!”
Karen Zupko
President, Karen Zupko & Associates,
Chicago, Illinois
“I found Mr. Sterling’s guide to be one of the most comprehensive reference handbooks available in the market. It should be required reading for every health care administrator or physician champion involved in a selection search for an Ambulatory EMR solution.”
Michael A. Swim
Assistant Vice President, Business Development
NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, Inc.
About Ron Sterling
Ron Sterling, CPA, is President of Sterling Solutions, Ltd., Silver Spring, MD. A nationally recognized expert on practice-based computer tools, he has authored four books the topic, has reviewed electronic medical record and practice management systems from over 150 vendors, and has guided a variety of primary care and specialty practices in over 30 states in the selection and implementation of electronic medical record and practice management systems. |
