Items to Consider before Purchasing an EMR

1. Do you want to improve patient care or efficiency of the office?
2. Cost concerns?
3. EMR’s are difficult to implement
   1. You will need a project team
   2. Does this team understand the day to day patient flow
   3. E/M guidelines
   4. Visit templates
4. Do you have a "Physician Champion" that can help with development and provider training?
   1. Was your patient visit a true level 4? Or was it items carrying over from a previous visit? Concern: Law suits
5. Is it Flexible and Customizable or does it come with pre-loaded templates?
   1. Be aware that templates can import old or inaccurate information.
6. Support?
   1. 24-7?
   2. Hotline?
   3. Overseas Support?
7. Security?
8. What should you do with old data?
9. Training issues?
10. Will the EMR company be there when you go live?
11. Will the EMR code for you?
    1. E/M?
    2. Other services?
12. Will the EMR add Modifiers?
13. Will the EMR select ICD codes?
14. Are there annual coding updates?
    1. Who enters the updates?
15. Is the system HL7 compliant?
16. Is the software CCHIT certified?
17. Will your support staff feel like they are being replaced?

Types of data stored in an electronic medical record

• Patient demographics.
• A record of appointments and other reminders.
• Billing records.
• Medical history, examination and progress reports of health and illnesses.
• Medicine and allergy lists, and immunization status.
• Laboratory test results.
• Radiology images (X-rays, CTs, MRIs, etc.)
• Photographs, from endoscopy or laparoscopy or clinical photographs.
• Medication information, side-effects and interactions.
• Evidence-based recommendations for specific medical conditions
• Advanced directives, living wills, and health powers of attorney