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EMR: worth the expense.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Our practice has been paperless for a few years now, and I think the argument about saving money is a bit overstated ("How to Make a Paperless Office Work for You," June 1, 2005, p. 50).
Nevertheless, once you go paperless, you won't ever want to go back.
Our group gradually went to an electronic medical record (EMR) system. When we started out by scanning billing reports that had to be transmitted electronically, EMR systems were essentially transcription systems with some scheduling thrown in, and the scheduling software wasn't so good. Eventually, another go-round with vendors turned up what we needed, with very good inter-functionality.
You have to be prepared for six- and seven-figure expenditures when you do this. We went from a minicomputer with dumb terminals to multiple servers and desktop PCs, plus all the necessary backup hardware. Software, training, licenses, and maintenance contracts add to the expense.
We also went at the implementation gradually. It didn't make sense to scan each old chart into the system. Instead, we focused on patients we would see soon, and scanned their charts. This required hiring a temp (more expense).
Trying to account for all the expenses would be a daunting task. I'm not sure I would trust anyone's assessment as to the cost-effectiveness of the conversion process and subsequent operation. Even after you're done, count on software and hardware upgrades.
But conversion to EMR has had advantages that we now see as essential:
- EMR: worth the expense.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
- Magazine article from: Internal Medicine News Pittman, Gregory August 15, 2005 700+ words
...think the argument about saving money is a bit overstated...electronic medical record (EMR) system. When we started...transmitted electronically, EMR systems were essentially...upgrades. But conversion to EMR has had advantages that...the emphasis is on saving money and doing ...
- Integrated Delivery System Selects Prime Clinical Systems EMR.
- Press release article from: Business Wire March 31, 2005 700+ words
...the tablet with a pen -- the EMR results in a high level of physician...close integration between the EMR and the practice management system is another plus. The EMR is expected to help Clinica Medica improve care processes while saving money by reducing transcription costs...
- Beyond clinical documentation: using the EMR as a quality tool: once the...
- Magazine article from: Health Management Technology Morris, John Palattao, Kevin J. November 1, 2004 700+ words
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- Featured EMR/EHR Book Makes Sense of Product Selection and Implementation; EHR...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire December 2, 2004 700+ words
...hardware and software that may not be interoperable if the EMR is returned to the vendor. Physicians are looking to accountants...Center for Health Transformation, Author, Saving Lives & Saving Money, and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1995...
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- Press release article from: Business Wire March 4, 2008 700+ words
...industry recognition for EHR implementation for 80 percent less than traditional systems. If politicians are serious about saving money and improving patient care in the U.S., then Open Source and OpenVista are essential ingredients." What should be of...
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- Magazine article from: Health Management Technology Blau, Richard H. June 1, 2004 700+ words
...employees because of the nature of my practice. EMR With Document Imaging In April 2003, I...Charting Plus, an electronic medical record (EMR) computer system by MediNotes Corp...decrease my dependence on transcription. The EMR had integration capabilities with a medical...
- Making the Case for Electronic Records: Group practices find that saving money...
- Magazine article from: Health Data Management Goedert, Joseph March 1, 2006 700+ words
...electronic records. "The vision for having an EMR was based on the fact that we are a residency...systems, he explains. State the case Still, EMR advocates at the two-site practice with...of those who have done it. As a result, EMR advocates should not make a return on investment...
- EMR ROI: a Pennsylvania family practice's investment in an EMR pays off...
- Magazine article from: Health Management Technology Sonnenberg, William R. May 1, 2007 700+ words
...paper to an electronic medical records (EMR) system. After all, as a self-proclaimed...was among the first doctors to purchase an EMR platform. Our office also held the distinction...electronic billing system, and later an EMR system, was based less on a desire to acquire...