The United States lags far behind global leaders in using Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems, according to a recent report by The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF). ITIF recommends that the U.S. should borrow policies from leading nations to help spur EMR adoption. Until the advent of the HITECH stimulus package, the U.S. government has largely taken a free market approach to EMR adoption, which can explain much of the implementation gap. Despite lagging EMR adoption rates, the U.S. government should be careful not to force physicians to adopt a system that may not help them in the long run.

According to the ITIF report, the U.S. lags Denmark, Sweden, and Finland in EMR implementations. Unlike the U.S., the governments of these countries played a much more active role in promoting EMR adoption. Denmark and Finland began promoting EMR use as far back as 1994. Denmark also mandated e-prescribing, and 100% of primary care physicians send electronic prescriptions as a result. Likewise, Denmark requires physicians to issue electronic patient referrals and keep clinical records in a standard format.

In terms of adoption rates, 100% of primary care physicians use EMR in Sweden. 99% use EMR in Finland, and 95% in Denmark. The U.S. offers a stark contrast, where only 28% of primary care physicians use EMR, according to the ITIF report. However, this percentage should rise in the near future as the HITECH Act gets underway.

The HITECH Act is part of the so called “stimulus package,” and offers up to $44,000 for qualified physicians who implement a certified system and comply with the meaningful use requirements. The $44,000 is paid through Medicare reimbursements and can only be collected once physicians have purchased, implemented, and started using an EMR system in their practice.

The U.S. government has traditionally taken a more laissez-faire approach to EMR and health information technology up until the passage of the HITECH act, at least compared with its European counterparts. Although stronger government mandates and directives may have worked in Scandinavia, the U.S. government should be careful not to become too aggressive in promoting EMR. There is always a danger that physicians will purchase an EMR system under government pressure that may not work for them in the long run.

EMR implementation horror stories are well known among American doctors, and are a significant cause of low adoption rates. While EMR systems can provide many benefits to a practice, such as decreasing cost, increasing revenue, and improving patient care, physicians should choose their systems wisely. Purchasing the wrong system can have lasting negative consequences. Physicians should purchase the simplest system that will meet their needs. Simple EMR systems are best; they are easy to learn, use, and implement. Simple EMR systems can adapt as your practice changes, so you won’t be stuck with something that no longer fits your needs.

The HITECH Stimulus Act, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, promotes the adoption of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) by reimbursing qualified physicians for purchasing and implementing certified systems. Healthcare lags sorely behind other economic sectors in adopting information technology. Most experts agree that EMRs can bring many benefits to the healthcare system, including lowering costs and improving patient care. However, physicians in general have not been enthusiastic in moving away from their old paper systems. Congress passed the HITECH stimulus act to help motivate physicians to make the switch.

Key to the process is a term known as “meaningful use.” Physicians can’t simply purchase any EMR system and expect to receive a check from the government. “Meaningful use” outlines a set of requirements that both physicians and EMR vendors will have to implement in their systems. The program starts in 2011, and reports indicate the government will focus on basic requirements that everyone “can achieve quickly and reasonably.” The first year will focus on structure, where physicians need to purchase, implement, and being using their EMR systems.

Meaningful use requirements will expand in subsequent years. 2013 requirements will focus on process measures to make sure physicians are using their EMR systems for every patient. In contrast, the 2015 requirements will focus on outcomes and try to measure impact on the quality of care, via data reporting to CMS. The HIT policy committee has already submitted preliminary requirements for 2011. However, CMS will have the final say, and expects to publish the rules for comment in December.

Although meaningful use requirements are not official, there is enough certainty that EMR vendors and physicians can start their implementations. Any changes in the 2011 proposed requirements are expected to be less stringent, making it easier for vendors and physicians to qualify. Physicians need to start narrowing down their choices and being making their purchase decisions.

Getting started early is vitally important to anyone who wants to receive stimulus reimbursements. Early adoption will give physicians plenty of time to implement a system and establish meaningful use requirements. Implementing an EMR system is not like buying off-the-shelf software. Physicians should expect the process to take a couple of months, at a minimum. Physicians may need to acquire funding, purchase and install hardware, set aside time for training, and roll out the system in their practice. Implementation can make or break even the best EMR system, and should not be rushed.

As an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) vendor, we talk with many practices that are suffering from the recession. Although health doesn’t follow economic cycles – spending habits do. People may need medical care, but may have lost their job and their health insurance. Without insurance, patients may have to postpone care or forgo it completely. Declining patient volume leads to less income. How can your practice survive when times are tough? Reinvesting in your practice could be the answer.

Unfortunately, the healthcare industry lags behind other sectors in modernizing through information technology (IT). Many small and medium-sized businesses continue to reap benefits from investing in computers, networks, and software. From full paperless office solutions, to computerized cash registers and inventory tracking – computers and software help businesses streamline their work flows and operate more efficiently.

Think for a moment about the businesses you interact with; how many of them use some kind of IT to help run their operations? Chances are that even the most humble shop has some type of information system, even if it is only a credit card reader. Recently however, I purchased an item from an ancient general store in my home town. Much to my amazement, the clerk figured the sales tax using pencil and paper. Why aren’t we similarly shocked and amazed when physicians use pen and paper to capture our health information?

If the recession has affected your practice, take a few moments and consider how IT may help you streamline your workflow and cut costs. Does your staff spend lots of time looking for misfiled charts? Do they frequently hover over the fax machine feeding in forms and sorting through received documents? Do they spend hours photocopying and mailing charts and notes to other physicians? Have you or your staff spent several minutes staring at a chart trying to decipher poor handwriting? These are all problems that IT can solve for you.

If your practice still uses paper charts, you should look into purchasing an electronic medical record (EMR). A good EMR will bring many benefits including streamlining your workflows, reducing your operating costs, increasing your revenue, and most importantly, improving patient care. Many people die every year due to preventable medical errors. EMR systems can help prevent these errors, which in turn can lower the cost of malpractice insurance.

Unfortunately, many physicians focus on the price of EMR systems. Price is certainly important, but it is more important to consider the many long term benefits an EMR system will bring. Cutting operating costs, increasing revenue, and improving patient care all outweigh the initial software price. Furthermore, many vendors are offering special discounts and in-house financing to work with your budget. If you are a qualified physician, the HITECH Stimulus package will help reimburse you for using a certified EMR system. If you are still using paper, contact an EMR vendor today.

The HITECH Stimulus Act, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act otherwise known as the “Stimulus Package,” will reimburse qualified physicians who purchase and use a certified Electronic Health Records (EHR) system. The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) plans to offer a preliminary certification for EHR vendors. The preliminary certification will be limited to the proposed meaningful use requirements.

This is an important development, because many physicians and other health care providers are still waiting for more information before they purchase an EHR. It is a good idea for physicians to be cautious, but waiting too long can jeopardize their chance to participate in the first year of the stimulus package. CCHIT plans to release more information about their certification package on September 24th and begin accepting applications on October 7th.

The certifications are preliminary because the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) isn’t expected to approve the meaningful use requirements until the spring of 2010. The requirements could still change before their final adoption. Most commentators expect any changes will result is less stringent requirements. If that should not be the case, CCHIT will offer “gap testing” to ensure EHR vendors meet the additional requirements.

Although the requirements still aren’t official, preliminary certification should be enough to help physicians move into a buying mode. Physicians can be confident that EHR vendors with preliminary certification will meet or exceed the meaningful use requirements. Physicians can then narrow down their shopping list to focus on things like usability, flexibility, and price. Although price is not the most important factor when purchasing an EHR, many physicians focus on it.

One potential negative side affect of the stimulus package is that it will undoubtedly raise software prices. Basic economics states that prices are set by supply and demand. While the supply, the number of EHR vendors remains steady or shrinks, demand is expected to rise sharply as physicians try to take advantage of the stimulus package. Prices will begin to go up as demand rises. Again, physicians should do their homework and select an appropriate EHR vendor. However, they need start moving out of their “wait and see” mode and start proactively shopping. Waiting too long will result in more difficult implementations and higher prices. Start shopping for your EHR today.

Thousands of people purchase and install software everyday. Most software on the market is designed for easy installation; software vendors want everyone to be capable of installing and using their software without having to call an expert. However, most people are not computer experts, and when something goes wrong, they want someone to help them. The real measure of a software vendor is the support they provide. Most users get frustrated when they have to submit a trouble ticket online, or call and end up talking to someone overseas who they can not understand very well.

Support is one of the critical success factors in an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) implementation. Compared to popping in a CD-ROM and clicking “run”, EMR implementations are complex. Physicians normally would not install the software themselves, and they often times require training from the software vendor. Likewise, problems encountered during normal use are more than just irritations. Medical practices depend on a smooth workflow that enables them to see patients quickly and efficiently. EMR glitches frustrate the physician, irritate the patient, and can lead to delayed appointments that mess up the entire day’s schedule.

EMR support should be familiar, fast, and knowledgeable. Physicians don’t have time to submit trouble tickets online, or stay on hold for minutes at the time. They need a familiar technician they know can help. They need to get their help quickly. They need someone who can help with both technical and procedural questions.

A good EMR vendor will assign a dedicated technician to each of their customers. Assigning dedicated technicians helps facilitate support through relationship building. Physicians will feel more comfortable calling their techs when they have a working relationship, especially if the physician knows their tech will drop everything to help them.

A good EMR vendor will assign you a support technician and give you direct access to them through cell phone, email, and instant messaging. Cell phone can be the fastest way to get help, which is important when physicians are busy. Email is useful for problems that don’t need immediate attention. Instant messaging, however, is crucial. It can be just as fast as using a cell phone, but it has the added benefit of stealth. Physicians can ask their support tech a question without their patients even knowing. The drawback, however, is typing. Many physicians do not want to type, so they may not be willing to use messaging.

Finally, a good EMR vendor will have technicians who know more than just the software. Many times physicians have procedural questions, such as where to document a certain complaint or condition. Technicians should know the patient encounter work flow, and be familiar regulatory requirements, such as those outlined by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Familiar, fast, and knowledgeable tech support leads to an easy implementation and happy customers.