Archive for September, 2009
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6 U.S. Lags Behind in Adopting Electronic Medical Records
Sep 30, 2009. Today.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.
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Ryan Ricks Security Officer
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1 2011 Meaningful Use Expected to be Basic
Sep 22, 2009. Today.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.
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Ryan Ricks Security Officer
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2 Dell’s Acquisition Of Perot Helps Healthcare Push
Sep 21, 2009. Companies in Action, News.Dell’s Acquisition Of Perot Helps Healthcare Push
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InformationWeek
Dell’s purchase of Perot further solidifies its portfolio of health IT products and services. The acquisition is a natural evolution from the recent partnership between the two companies, where Perot offering its hosted services to support those installations of third-party EMR software running on Dell computers. -
5 Electronic Medical Records Companies
Sep 21, 2009. Today.So you have decided to implement an electronic medical record system in your healthcare center- what should be your next move?
The market is flooded with vendors that are competing to tap this lucrative market segment and it is easy to get confused with so many choices. Some vendors focus only on niche products while others cater to a larger audience. One size doesn’t fit all and healthcare providers must be careful while selecting an electronic medical records company that addresses their unique requirement.
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0 Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE)
Sep 21, 2009. Spotlight.Being tied to a paper chart to provide care and evaluate results is a time consuming process that may breed inefficiency in the long term. Paper-based ordering systems are not only time-intensive but are also known to duplicate the efforts. These loopholes in the system can be corrected by implementing computerized provider order entry (CPOE) systems. A CPOE enables employees in healthcare facilities to electronically write the entire range of orders, maintain medication administration records, and review changes made to an order. As these systems are web based these can used by many personnel at a time and eliminate duplication of entries.
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0 New Research Reveals Effectiveness of E-Prescribing
Sep 21, 2009. News, ePrescribing.Study: e-prescribing prevents errors even if doctors override most alerts
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FierceHealthIT
In a study conducted by Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, researchers have concluded that drug interaction alerts in ambulatory e-prescribing systems are effective at reducing both adverse drug events and medical costs. -
1 How to Select the Best EMR
Sep 17, 2009. Insight.Going digital is perhaps the best way to save time, money and improve the efficiency of your healthcare center. A paperless office is easy on the environment and delivers great results (in the shape of improved patient care and better communication with staff). But in order to benefit from a digitalized environment, you must select the best electronic medical record (EMR) available in the market.
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0 Electronic Medical Record Software
Sep 17, 2009. Spotlight.Physicians using electronic medical records (EMRs) can save paper and improve efficiencies with computer based programs. Despite a willingness to switch to a computerized improvement, health practitioners hesitate to implement electronic medical record software as they are not clear how they can fully leverage an EMR package. New advances in technology have resulted in a host of features in EMRs such as electronic prescribing and pay-for-performance tracking.
Don’t blame yourself if you can’t decide among more than 300 electronic medical record and electronic health record programs available in the market today. These packages are targeted for general users as well as niche markets. If you are an OB/GYN, you may consider opting for an EMR that comes with ACOG forms and reports. If you take care of people’s heart, then it will be good for you to select a cardiology EMR program with integration to an electrocardiogram.
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1 Digitize Information with Electronic Medical Records
Sep 16, 2009. Insight.Medical practitioners have to manage a large amount of data pertaining to their patients and it is very cumbersome to use paper-based records in health facilities. It is plausible for physicians and medical professionals to use an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system that serves as a rapid and efficient way to manage critical medical information.
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0 CCHIT certification for gloEMR version 5.0
Sep 16, 2009. Companies in Action.The gloEMR version 5.0 from gloStream – a provider of electronic medical record (EMR) and practice management (PM) software for physicians and medical facilities – has received CCHIT certification by meeting 100% of the updated 2009 Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) criteria. The product has been announced as CCHIT Certified 08 Ambulatory EHR additionally certified for Cardiovascular Medicine and Child Health.
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