EHR (Electronic Health Records) Q&A
January 23, 2013
Q: Why are EHR systems important?
A: EHR systems allow health care providers and staff to more easily extract the information that is need about their patients. EHR systems improve patient safety by checking drug to drug interactions, drug and allergy interactions, and also allow for remote review of select patient information.
Q: How will EHR increase efficiency in physician practices?
A: The electronic system is much better for tracking large amounts of information. This can be used for improving health population and making sure certain products and services are provided.
Q: How much does it cost to implement an EHR system?
A: There are many EHR vendors and the initial licensing cost varies depending on which vendor and program the provider chooses. Lower-cost programs are priced around $1,0000. More robust programs can cost several thousand of dollars. There also may be monthly maintenance costs involved, depending on your vendor.
Q: How will EHR implementation save time and resources - for the provider and the patient?
A: EHR may initially decrease productivity as the provider learns to use the program. However, once the provider becomes familiar with the system, EHR will save time aggregating information, which leads to more efficient and effective delivery of care to patients.
Q: Will physician practices be able to share these electronic healthcare records (EHR) with other medical providers?
A: With electronically based records, information exchange is made easier, and providers will be able to securely exchange crucial patient medical information which will help providers to better coordinate and communicate with one another.
Q: How do you decide which EHR system to use?
A: While there is no fail-safe way to negotiate a vendor agreement, having a clear idea of the functions and features that are important to your hospital will help you make an informed decision.
Q: Why are EHR systems important?
A: EHR systems allow health care providers and staff to more easily extract the information that is need about their patients. EHR systems improve patient safety by checking drug to drug interactions, drug and allergy interactions, and also allow for remote review of select patient information.
Q: How will EHR increase efficiency in physician practices?
A: The electronic system is much better for tracking large amounts of information. This can be used for improving health population and making sure certain products and services are provided.
Q: How much does it cost to implement an EHR system?
A: There are many EHR vendors and the initial licensing cost varies depending on which vendor and program the provider chooses. Lower-cost programs are priced around $1,0000. More robust programs can cost several thousand of dollars. There also may be monthly maintenance costs involved, depending on your vendor.
Q: How will EHR implementation save time and resources - for the provider and the patient?
A: EHR may initially decrease productivity as the provider learns to use the program. However, once the provider becomes familiar with the system, EHR will save time aggregating information, which leads to more efficient and effective delivery of care to patients.
Q: Will physician practices be able to share these electronic healthcare records (EHR) with other medical providers?
A: With electronically based records, information exchange is made easier, and providers will be able to securely exchange crucial patient medical information which will help providers to better coordinate and communicate with one another.
Q: How do you decide which EHR system to use?
A: While there is no fail-safe way to negotiate a vendor agreement, having a clear idea of the functions and features that are important to your hospital will help you make an informed decision.
- Define your needs.
- Understand your current system.
- How with the new software and technology interface with your current system.
- Know how the system will convert patient information.
- Test the software before purchasing it.
- Who will implement the system.
- What are the training agreements.
- Will there be upgrades and customer service.
- Who will have access to your data and who is identified as the owner of the data.
- Where will the patient data reside.
- What are the licensing/hosting options.
- What happens if the system fails.
- Are there any warranties.