You don’t have to completely change your workflow to begin using an EHR system.
In our business we speak to physicians nearly every day and one of the common themes we hear is that they know all the reasons why they should move to an Electronic Health Record system, but they are hesitant to change the way they are currently operating. They are looking for a way to ease into the world of EHR.
One of the biggest concerns they express is patient charting. They’ve been dictating patient notes for years into digital recorders and then having them transcribed. Once the notes are transcribed they’re added to a patient folder where they can be easily reviewed. They don’t want to be fumbling with a computer when they’re face to face with a patient and they are not yet ready to learn a new way of entering patient data.
Essentially doctors are looking for a way to accomplish three things:
1. Get started with an EHR system that can be used in a meaningful way
2. Get any stimulus money that may be available to them
3. Make changes to their current workflow at their own pace
When they ask us for advice we always suggest a web-based EHR system as the quickest and easiest way to get started towards the meaningful use of an EHR system. A true SaaS (Software as a Service) EHR solution, like Practice Fusion, that has been ONC-ATCB certified goes a long way towards satisfying points one and two.
But it’s the third point that is most troubling for them. When we have the opportunity to explain that they can easily deal with patient charts in much the same way that they always have they become very interested in learning more.
For those doctors who don’t want to change their dictation and transcription methods a solution like Practice Fusion, when combined with a secure, HIPAA-compliant file transfer service like that provided by My Docs Online can be the perfect combination.
The physician can continue to dictate notes and then simply transfer the digital files from their hand-held dictation device, through a Secure, HIPAA-compliant file transfer service, to their Medical Transcriptionist (MT). The MT, who in many cases is a valued team member of the doctor’s practice, would transcribe the audio file into an Adobe PDF file that could be securely transmitted back to the physician’s office. Once the office has the PDF file it can quickly be uploaded directly into Practice Fusion as a document. After the file is in the system it can be reviewed, digitally signed and added to the patient’s permanent record.
As the Practice Fusion API (application programming interface) gains additional functionality, that process can become even more seamless. It will be possible to automate the upload of patient notes directly into Practice Fusion where they are immediately ready for review.
Are you are one of these physicians who are delaying an immediate move to an EHR system because you don’t want to change they way you currently handle patient charting? If so the design and pricing of Practice Fusion could help to significantly smooth your path to the meaningful use of Electronic Health Records.
– Stephen Campbell
Stephen Campbell has been on the software side of the technology business for the past 25 years. He is the president of My Docs Online, a SaaS based software company that provides secure HIPAA Compliant file transfer services to medical practices. He also blogs about the world of electronic medical records at EMR Daily News.
